Mechanical behavior of train-slab track coupled system under subgrade settlement and earthquake excitation

Abstract

Subgrade settlement is a common issue in soil ground within earthquake-prone regions, posing a threat to the safe operation of train-slab track coupled system (TSCS) in high-speed railways (HSRs). This study aims to analyze the mechanical behavior evolution of TSCS under subgrade settlement and earthquake excitation. The refined numerical model of slab track under subgrade differential settlement is established. The short settlement wavelength of 10 m causes the separation between the base and subgrade. The dynamic model of TSCS under subgrade settlement and earthquake excitation is developed. The dynamic response of TSCS exhibits more pronounced fluctuations under the combined effects of subgrade settlement and earthquake excitation than under the effects of settlement or earthquake alone. The evaluation indexes for the running safety of train on slab track under different settlement wavelengths exhibit varying degrees of increase with settlement amplitude and are particularly sensitive to the short settlement wavelength of 10 m. The wheel unloading rate and derailment coefficient of TSCS increase with earthquake intensity. Under the settlement wavelength of 10 m and amplitude of 20 mm, the wheel unloading rate of TSCS exceeds the allowable limit when the earthquake intensity exceeds 0.17g, and the derailment coefficient exceeds the allowable limit when the earthquake intensity surpasses 0.29g.

Keywords

train-slab track coupled system / mechanical behavior / subgrade differential settlement / earthquake excitation / running safety of train

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