Härtill 5 uppsatser

Diss. (sammanfattning) Göteborg : Chalmers tekniska högskola, 2021

Slab track is a type of railway track that is frequently used e.g. in high-speed applications as an alternative to ballasted track. Slab track is also well suited on bridges and in tunnels since no ballast is required and the cross-section of tunnels can be reduced. Slab tracks generally have lower maintenance demands than ballasted track. However, if maintenance is required it may be expensive and intrusive. On the other hand, overdimensioning of slab track will lead to high environmental impact and monetary cost. This thesis aims to increase the knowledge and improve the understanding of the dynamic interaction between vehicle and track in order to allow for the optimisation of slab track. To this end, both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) slab track models, and a transition zone model between slab track and ballasted track, have been developed. These models are used to simulate the vertical dynamic vehicle–track interaction in the time-domain. The computational cost of the simulation is reduced by using a complex-valued modal superposition technique for the finite element model of the track. In the 3D model, both rails are represented by beam elements, while the concrete parts are described using shell or solid elements. The simulations employ a mix of in-house and commercial codes. The influence of different irregularities, e.g. variations in track support conditions and irregularities in longitudinal level, on significant track responses such as wheel–rail contact forces, stresses in the concrete parts and pressure on the foundation is assessed. From Single-Input-Multiple-Output (SIMO) measurements carried out in a full-scale test rig, the 3D model has been calibrated and validated.