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GeoShanghai International Conference

GSIC 2018: Proceedings of GeoShanghai 2018 International Conference: Transportation Geotechnics and Pavement Engineering pp 189–198Cite as

Load-Deformation Responses of Ballasted Rail Tracks: Laboratory and Discrete-Continuum Modelling

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Abstract

The recent and rapid urbanization and frequent congestion of roads have led to more attention being focused on ballasted tracks for freight and commuter transport. The mechanisms of ballast degradation and deformation, the need for effective track confinement, understanding of interface behaviour, determining the dynamic bearing capacity of ballasted tracks require further insight to improve the existing design guidelines for future high speed commuter and heavier freight trains. The load-deformation behaviour of ballast under cyclic loads is measured in the laboratory using a novel large-scale Track Process Simulation Apparatus (TPSA). A novel coupling model based on discrete element method (DEM) and finite element method (FEM) is developed to predict the load-deformation responses of the ballast assembly considering the interaction of discrete ballast grains and continuum subgrade. In this coupled model, the discrete ballast grains are modelled by DEM and the subgrade domain is modelled as a continuum by FEM. The results indicate that significant settlements are observed during the initial load cycles, followed by gradually increased deformation, arriving at a steady value towards the end of tests. Contact force distributions, stress contours and corresponding broken bonds are captured.

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Acknowledgements

The Authors would like to acknowledge the Rail Manufacturing CRC, Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation (ACRI) Limited, and Tyre Stewardship Australia Limited (TSA) for providing the financial support needed to undertake this research (Project R2.5.1). The Authors are grateful to Mr. Alan Grant, Mr. Cameron Neilson, Mr Duncan Best and Mr. Ritchie McLean for their assistance in the laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia

    Ngoc Trung Ngo, Buddhima Indraratna & Cholachat Rujikiatkamjorn

Authors
  1. Ngoc Trung Ngo
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  2. Buddhima Indraratna
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  3. Cholachat Rujikiatkamjorn
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Correspondence to Ngoc Trung Ngo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Washington State University, Washington, WA, USA

    Xianming Shi

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA

    Zhen Liu

  3. Missouri University of Science and Technology, Missouri, MO, USA

    Jenny Liu

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Ngo, N.T., Indraratna, B., Rujikiatkamjorn, C. (2018). Load-Deformation Responses of Ballasted Rail Tracks: Laboratory and Discrete-Continuum Modelling. In: Shi, X., Liu, Z., Liu, J. (eds) Proceedings of GeoShanghai 2018 International Conference: Transportation Geotechnics and Pavement Engineering. GSIC 2018. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0011-0_21

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