Vertical deformation characteristics of asphalt subballast layers in conventional trackbeds: A numerical investigation

Asphalt concrete has significant potential in railway infrastructure, yet the deformation characteristics of the asphalt subballast layer (ASBL) in conventional trackbeds remain underexplored. This study investigates the vertical deformation of the ASBL under the influence of temperature and train loads, using a high-speed ballast railway with a 140 mm asphalt concrete layer as a case study. In this paper, a numerical investigation with Finite Element Method (FEM) model of the ASBL was conducted. Meanwhile, the ballast was constructed using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) program PFC 3D, with particle coordinates integrated into the FEM model. The analysis focused on the vertical deformation characteristics of the ASBL. The findings reveal that: (1) the viscoplastic strain caused by the embedded ballast does not increase beyond 2.04 % of the total strain, although the viscoelastic strain continues to rise; (2) the thickness of the ASBL, temperature, and train speed significantly correlate with the viscoplastic strain and vertical deformation, with temperature exerting the greatest influence; and (3) the ASBL thickness has a limited effect on mitigating vertical deformation. These findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding the vertical deformation of ASBL in conventional trackbeds.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.138772
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095006182403914X
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09500618
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Fang, Mingjing
  • 0000-0002-2247-9652
  • Fang, Kun
  • Wang, Yongsheng
  • Liu, Hao
  • Peng, Longfan
  • 0000-0002-6613-4875
  • Hu, Zongwen
  • Zhang, Xiaomeng
• Publication Date: 2024-11-15

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: 138772
• Serial:
  • Construction and Building Materials
  • Volume: 451
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0950-0618
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09500618?sdc=1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt concrete; Deformation; Discrete element method; Finite element method; Railroad tracks; Subballast
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01937677
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 21 2024 9:26AM