Tire‐derived aggregate layer performance in railway bridges as a novel impact absorber: Numerical and field study

Abstract

The current paper aims to investigate the effects of tire-derived aggregate (TDA) layer as a novel impact absorber in railway bridges. In the first step, a concrete short slab bridge was selected at Tehran-Qom old railway line at 168 + 100 km of Tehran. In continue, for measuring field data, the nominated bridge was evaluated under moving train dynamic loads in both presence and absence of TDA layer as a damper material, which was located between the deck slab and ballast layer. In the second step, a 3D finite element model of selected railway bridge was developed, and corresponding results were compared with those obtained from the field and consequently, the numerical model validity was approved. Afterwards, basing on the verified model, a comprehensive parametric study was conducted on train wheel load, train moving speed, and TDA layer thickness to investigate their effects on track–bridge dynamic behavior.