Structural Design of Railway Trackbeds: Relative Effects of Various Affecting Factors

Layer-elastic, finite-element computer programs are available for performance-based structural design and analysis of railway trackbeds. This paper utilizes the KENTRACK design program. It is possible to consider the fatigue lives of the various layers relative to the imposed wheel loads, tonnages, environmental conditions and other factors. The service lives of the individual components of the trackbed are predicted by damage analysis for various combinations of traffic loadings, accumulated tonnages, subgrade support, and component layer properties and thicknesses. The results are presented graphically. The latest version, KENTRACK 3.0, is utilized. It is coded in C#.NET a popular computer language for achieving accuracy and efficiency. The graphical user interface in the KENTRACK 3.0 provides a technique to analyze trackbeds as structures. It is possible with KENTRACK 3.0 to select individual trackbed layers and associated thicknesses to satisfy roadbed and trackbed performance requirements. In addition, it is possible to performance-rank different track sectional designs based on the relative importance of the particular track section and track type. The types of roadbed and trackbed configurations are selected to meet each of the various performance ranks.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  22 Law Division, P.O. Box 2300
  Fairfield, NJ  United States  07007-2300
• Authors:
  • Rose, Jerry G
  • Trella II, M C
  • Agarwal, N K
• Conference:
  • ASME/ASCE/IEEE 2011 Joint Rail Conference (JRC2011)
  • Location: Pueblo CO, United States
  • Date: 2011-3-16 to 2011-3-18
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 20p
• Monograph Title: ASME/ASCE/IEEE 2011 Joint Rail Conference (JRC2011)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design; Railroad tracks; Service life; Thickness; Tonnage; Traffic loads; Wheel loads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Railroad track beds
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01356858
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 16 2011 2:51PM