Experimental study and numerical simulation of the impact of under-sleeper pads on the dynamic and static mechanical behavior of heavy-haul railway ballast track

Abstract

Laying the under-sleeper pad (USP) is one of the effective measures commonly used to delay ballast degradation and reduce maintenance workload. To explore the impact of application of the USP on the dynamic and static mechanical behavior of the ballast track in the heavy-haul railway system, numerical simulation models of the ballast bed with USP and without USP are presented in this paper by using the discrete element method (DEM)—multi-flexible body dynamic (MFBD) coupling analysis method. The ballast bed support stiffness test and dynamic displacement tests were carried out on the actual operation of a heavy-haul railway line to verify the validity of the models. The results show that using the USP results in a 43.01% reduction in the ballast bed support stiffness and achieves a more uniform distribution of track loads on the sleepers. It effectively reduces the load borne by the sleeper directly under the wheel load, with a 7.89% reduction in the pressure on the sleeper. Furthermore, the laying of the USP changes the lateral resistance sharing ratio of the ballast bed, significantly reducing the stress level of the ballast bed under train loads, with an average stress reduction of 42.19 kPa. It also reduces the plastic displacement of ballast particles and lowers the peak value of rotational angular velocity by about 50% to 70%, which is conducive to slowing down ballast bed settlement deformation and reducing maintenance costs. In summary, laying the USP has a potential value in enhancing the stability and extending the lifespan of the ballast bed in heavy-haul railway systems.

Keywords

Heavy-haul railway / Under-sleeper pad / Discrete element method / Multi-flexible body dynamic coupling analysis / Mechanical behavior / Quality state

References

[1.] Fu L, Zheng Y, Qiu Y, et al.. Inconsistent effect of dynamic load waveform on macro-and micro-scale responses of ballast bed characterized in individual cycle: a numerical study. Railw Eng Sci, 2023, 31(4): 370-380

[2.] Liu G, Li P, Wang P, et al.. Study on structural health monitoring of vertical vibration of ballasted track in high-speed railway. J Civ Struct Heal Monit, 2021, 11: 451-463

[3.] Lazorenko G, Kasprzhitskii A, Khakiev Z, et al.. Dynamic behavior and stability of soil foundation in heavy haul railway tracks: a review. Constr Build Mater, 2019, 205: 111-136

[4.] Yang X, Yu L, Wang X, et al.. Analysis of mesoscopic mechanical dynamic characteristics of ballast bed with under sleeper pads. Railw Eng Sci, 2023, 32(1): 107-123

[5.] Lobo-Guerrero S, Vallejo LE. Discrete element method analysis of railtrack ballast degradation during cyclic loading. Granul Matter, 2006, 8(3–4): 195

[6.] Indraratna B, Qi Y, Malisetty RS, et al.. Recycled materials in railroad substructure: an energy perspective. Railw Eng Sci, 2022, 30(3): 304-322

[7.] Fathali M, Esmaeili M, Moghadas NF. Influence of tire-derived aggregates mixed with ballast on ground-borne vibrations. J Mod Transp, 2019, 27(4): 355-363

[8.] Lima AO, Dersch MS, Qian Y et al (2017) Laboratory evaluation of under-ballast mat effectiveness to mitigate differential movement problem in railway transition zones. In: 10th International Conference on the Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways and Airfields, Athens, pp 1969–1975

[9.] Chi Y, Xiao H, Zhang Z, et al.. Field experiment and numerical simulation investigation on the mechanical properties of ballast bed with elastic sleepers. Constr Build Mater, 2023, 397: 132361

[10.] Kumar N, Suhr B, Marschnig S, et al.. Micro-mechanical investigation of railway ballast behavior under cyclic loading in a box test using DEM: effects of elastic layers and ballast types. Granul Matter, 2019, 21(4): 106

[11.] Guo Y, Wang J, Markine V, et al.. Ballast mechanical performance with and without under sleeper pads. KSCE J Civ Eng, 2020, 24(11): 3202-3217

[12.] Omodaka A, Kumakura T, Konishi T. Maintenance reduction by the development of resilient sleepers for ballasted track with optimal under-sleeper pads. Procedia Cirp, 2017, 59: 53-56

[13.] Neuhold J, Landgraf M (2018) Effects of under sleeper pads on long-term track quality behavior. In: 5th International Conference on Road and Rail Infrastructure, Zadar, pp. 675–682

[14.] Bastos JC, Edwards JR, Dersch MS, et al.. Laboratory analysis of track gauge restraining capacity of center-cracked railway concrete sleepers with various support conditions. Eng Fail Anal, 2018, 94: 354-363

[15.] Sol-Sánchez M, Moreno-Navarro F, Rubio-Gámez MC. The use of elastic elements in railway tracks: a state of the art review. Constr Build Mater, 2015, 75: 293-305

[16.] S Lakuši, M Ahac, I Haladin (2010) Experimental investigation of railway track with under sleeper pad. In: 10th Slovenian Road and Transportation Congress, Portorož, pp. 386–393

[17.] Kaewunruen S, Aikawa A, Remennikov AM. Vibration attenuation at rail joints through under sleeper pads. Procedia Eng, 2017, 189: 193-198

[18.] Paixão A, Alves Ribeiro C, Pinto N, et al.. On the use of under sleeper pads in transition zones at railway underpasses: experimental field testing. Struct Infrastruct Eng, 2015, 11(2): 112-128

[19.] Abadi T, Le Pen L, Zervos A, et al.. Measuring the area and number of ballast particle contacts at sleeper/ballast and ballast/subgrade interfaces. Int J Railw Technol, 2015, 4(2): 45-72

[20.] Safari BM, Laryea S, McDowell G et al (2016) An investigation of railway sleeper sections and under sleeper pads using a box test apparatus. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part F J Rail Rapid Transit 230(7):1722–1734

[21.] Mottahed J, Zakeri JA, Mohammadzadeh S. Field and numerical investigation of the effect of under-sleeper pads on the dynamic behavior of railway bridges. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part F J Rail Rapid Transit, 2018, 232(8): 2126-2137

[22.] Ngamkhanong C, Kaewunruen S. Effects of under sleeper pads on dynamic responses of railway prestressed concrete sleepers subjected to high intensity impact loads. Eng Struct, 2020, 214: 110604

[23.] Chen C, McDowell GR. An investigation of the dynamic behaviour of track transition zones using discrete element modelling. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part F J Rail Rapid Transit, 2016, 230(1): 117-128

[24.] Krishnamoorthy RR, Saleheen Z, Effendy A et al. (2018) The effect of rubber pads on the stress distribution for concrete railway sleepers. IOP Conference Series: Mater Sci Eng 431(11):112007

[25.] Qu X, Ma M, Li M, et al.. Analysis of the vibration mitigation characteristics of the ballasted ladder track with elastic elements. Sustainability, 2019, 11(23): 6780

[26.] Paixão A, Varandas JN, Fortunato E, et al.. Numerical simulations to improve the use of under sleeper pads at transition zones to railway bridges. Eng Struct, 2018, 164: 169-182

[27.] Li H, McDowell GR. Discrete element modelling of under sleeper pads using a box test. Granul Matter, 2018, 20(2): 26

[28.] Wan C, Markine V, Shevtsov I. Optimisation of the elastic track properties of turnout crossings. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part F J Rail Rapid Transit, 2016, 230(2): 360-373

[29.] Cao Z, Cai Y, Han J. Mitigation of ground vibration generated by high-speed trains on saturated poroelastic ground with under-sleeper pads. J Transp Eng, 2014, 140(1): 12-22

[30.] Insa R, Salvador P, Inarejos J, et al.. Analysis of the influence of under sleeper pads on the railway vehicle/track dynamic interaction in transition zones. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part F J Rail Rapid Transit, 2012, 226(4): 409-420

[31.] Navaratnarajah SK, Indraratna B, Ngo NT. Influence of under sleeper pads on ballast behavior under cyclic loading: experimental and numerical studies. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng, 2018, 144(9): 04018068

[32.] Noh GT, Lim HJ, Lee JY, et al.. Evaluation of track support stiffness and track impact factor for ballast and concrete type tracks. J Korean Soc Railw, 2019, 21(4): 389-395

[33.] Gao L, Shi S, Zhong Y, et al.. Real-time evaluation of mechanical qualities of ballast bed in railway tamping maintenance. Int J Mech Sci, 2023, 248: 108192

[34.] National Railway Administration of the People’s Republic of China (2017) Code for Design of Railway Track: TB 10082–2017 China Railway Publishing House, Beijing

[35.] Bledzki AK, Gassan J. Dissipated energy of composite materials—part I: cyclic dynamic stress. J Test Eval, 1998, 26(5): 467-471

[36.] Zhang Z, Xie H, Zhang R, et al.. Deformation damage and energy evolution characteristics of coal at different depths. Rock Mech Rock Eng, 2019, 52: 1491-1503

[37.] Luo Y, Yin H, Hua C. The dynamic response of railway ballast to the action of trains moving at different speeds. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part F J Rail Rapid Transit, 1996, 210(2): 95-101

[38.] Kumaran G, Menon D, Nair KK. Dynamic studies of railtrack sleepers in a track structure system. J Sound Vib, 2003, 268(3): 485-501

[39.] Li T, Xie K, Chen X et al (2024) Computer vision-aided DEM study on the compaction characteristics of graded subgrade filler considering realistic coarse particle shapes. Railw Eng Sci 32(2):194–210

[40.] Indraratna B, Ngo NT, Rujikiatkamjorn C, et al.. Behavior of fresh and fouled railway ballast subjected to direct shear testing: discrete element simulation. Int J Geomech, 2014, 14(1): 34-44

[41.] Guo Y, Zhao C, Markine V, et al.. Discrete element modelling of railway ballast performance considering particle shape and rolling resistance. Railw Eng Sci, 2020, 28(4): 382-407

[42.] Bharadwaj R, Ketterhagen WR, Hancock BC. Discrete element simulation study of a freeman powder rheometer. Chem Eng Sci, 2010, 65(21): 5747-5756

[43.] Lim WL, McDowell GR. Discrete element modelling of railway ballast. Granul Matter, 2005, 7: 19-29

[44.] Chen X, Chen N, Wei Z, et al.. Research on the influence of loading frequency on the dynamic response of concrete sleepers. Appl Sci, 2022, 12(14): 7245

[45.] Zhai W, Wang K, Cai C. Fundamentals of vehicle–track coupled dynamics. Veh Syst Dyn, 2009, 47(11): 1349-1376

[46.] Xu L, Zhai W. A new model for temporal–spatial stochastic analysis of vehicle–track coupled systems. Veh Syst Dyn, 2017, 55(3): 427-448

[47.] Zhang Z, Xiao H, Zhu Y, et al.. Macro–meso mechanical properties of ballast bed during three-sleeper tamping operation. Int J Rail Transp, 2023, 11(6): 886-911

[48.] Wang X, Chi Y, Li W, et al.. Study on the DEM simulation of the granular railway ballast bed tamping. Adv Mater Res, 2012, 524–527: 3256-3259

[49.] Guo Y, Zong L, Markine V, et al.. Experimental and numerical study on lateral and longitudinal resistance of ballasted track with nailed sleeper. Int J Rail Transp, 2022, 10(1): 114-132

[50.] Ali Zakeri J, Esmaeili M, Kasraei A, et al.. A numerical investigation on the lateral resistance of frictional sleepers in ballasted railway tracks. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part F J Rail Rapid Transit, 2016, 230(2): 440-449

[51.] Jing G, Aela P. Review of the lateral resistance of ballasted tracks. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part F J Rail Rapid Transit, 2020, 234(8): 807-820

[52.] Varandas JN, Paixão A, Fortunato E, et al.. A numerical study on the stress changes in the ballast due to train passages. Procedia Eng, 2016, 143: 1169-1176

[53.] Gu Q, Zhao C, Bian X, et al.. Trackbed settlement and associated ballast degradation due to repeated train moving loads. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng, 2022, 153: 107109

[54.] Zhao H, Chen J. A numerical study of railway ballast subjected to direct shearing using the discrete element method. Adv Mater Sci Eng, 2020, 2020: 3404208

Funding

Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52372425); the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Science and technology leading talent team project)(2022JBXT010)