Sensitivity study of vibration responses on vehicle body to typical damages of ballastless track structures

Abstract

A method is proposed to investigate the sensitivity of the vibration responses on vehicle body to typical damages of ballastless track structures based on a coupled rigid vehicle body and flexible track model. Firstly, a coupled rigid vehicle body and flexible track model is established by combining SIMPACK and ANSYS software, and the reasonableness of the model is verified by coupling analysis. And then, the sensitivity of the vibration signals from different parts of the vehicle body to the typical damages of the ballastless track is investigated by simulating several typical damages on the flexible track model, and the feasibility of inversion of track damage based on the responses on vehicle body is investigated. The results show that a reasonable coupled vehicle-track model can be established by combining the finite element and multi-body dynamics method. The changes in the vibration responses of the vehicle body can reflect the typical track damages such as the loosening of rail fasteners, the debonding of CA mortar layer and cracks in track plate. The wheel-set axle box is the optimal location for installing vertical vibration sensors.