Abstract
ABSTRACTThe vertical dynamic interaction between a railway vehicle and a slab track is simulated in the time domain using an extended state-space vector approach in combination with a complex-valued modal superposition technique for the linear, time-invariant and two-dimensional track model. Wheel–rail contact forces, bending moments in the concrete panel and load distributions on the supporting foundation are evaluated. Two generic slab track models including one or two layers of concrete slabs are presented. The upper layer containing the discrete slab panels is described by decoupled beams of finite length, while the lower layer is a continuous beam. Both the rail and concrete layers are modelled using Rayleigh–Timoshenko beam theory. Rail receptances for the two slab track models are compared with the receptance of a traditional ballasted track. The described procedure is demonstrated by two application examples involving: (i) the periodic response due to the rail seat passing frequency as influenced by the vehicle speed and a foundation stiffness gradient and (ii) the transient response due to a local rail irregularity (dipped welded joint).
Highlights
The use of slab track structures for high-speed railway lines has increased over the last decades [1,2]
Accurate simulations based on a comprehensive model of the dynamic vehicle–track interaction are required for the design of railway track
Based on the demonstration examples, it was found that the influence of a foundation stiffness gradient on the amplitude of the wheel–rail contact force is vehicle speed dependent due to the rail seat passing frequency and the excitation of the fundamental vehicle–track system resonance
Summary
The use of slab track structures for high-speed railway lines has increased over the last decades [1,2]. A common approach when considering coupled vehicle–track dynamics is to model the track using finite elements together with a modal analysis. Lin and Tretheway [10] applied this approach to model a mass–spring–damper system moving on an elastic beam This framework was extended with a complex-valued modal analysis technique by Nielsen and Igeland [7]. The vehicle–track interaction is modelled with a complex-valued modal superposition technique for the track and an extended state-space vector approach. The vertical dynamic response can be calculated by considering a generic initial-value problem This model was initially developed by Nielsen and Igeland [7] ( for a ballasted track).
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