Revision on Track Stiffness in High-Speed Turnouts

High-speed turnouts represent singular elements in a track, where a number of problems must be solved to achieve a safe transit of trains at the highest possible speed with high reliability and low maintenance. In recent years, these requirements have led to analyses being performed on the vertical track stiffness at the turnouts and the demand of lower stiffness values to lessen the deterioration of the ballast. For this purpose, soft rail pads with a high level of elasticity (17.5 kN/mm) have been incorporated in turnouts; however, their use is not without several issues. From the results of a high-speed turnout model, the authors discuss if the stresses in the ballast layer, that it undergoes due to the action of the vehicles on the turnout, could explain the alteration of the ballast, the lack of support from several sleepers, or the deterioration of the geometrical quality of the high-speed turnout. Additionally, the study establishes the need to analyze the dimensions and configuration of high-speed turnouts by accounting for not only the static loads but also the vibration effects on the ballast.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AR050 Railroad Track Structure System Design. Alternate title: A Revision About the Track Stiffness in High Speed Turnouts.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Bugarin, Miguel R
  • Orro, Alfonso
  • Novales, Margarita
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2015-1-11 to 2015-1-15
• Date: 2015

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 9p
• Monograph Title: TRB 94th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ballast (Railroads); High speed track; Railroad tracks; Railroad turnouts; Stiffness; Stresses; Tie pads; Vibration
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01556967
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 15-2706
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 14 2015 3:59PM