Dynamic Analysis and Balancing of Railway Tracks Supported by Concrete Sleepers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v11i1.885Keywords:
Concrete sleepers. dynamic analysis. railway tracks. track stability. vibration reductionAbstract
Purpose: This study aims to improve the design to prevent vibration and improve railway performance by examining the behaviour of the railway track supported by a concrete sleeper.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The simulation for dynamic stresses has been carried out using Finite element modelling and analysis for the track-sleeper system's dynamic response. The frequencies and responses are obtained using modal and harmonic analysis with the help of ANSYS, a standard FEA software. In experimental validation, the finite element analysis results were compared to the actual track vibration behaviour at a train speed of 120 km/h.
Findings: The research shows that optimising the design and composition of concrete sleepers could greatly diminish vibrations and more evenly distribute loads. The results are improved structural performance, less maintenance required, and more stable tracks. The results emphasise the significance of concrete sleeper design in reducing track dynamic loads.
Research Limitation: This research is constrained because it considers only trains running at a maximum velocity of 120km/h.
Practical Implication: Improving the technology of the precast concrete sleeper can also reduce track vibrations, decrease maintenance costs, and increase the service life of railway infrastructure.
Social Implication: An efficient rail network helps switch to cleaner transportation systems, especially in densely populated urban areas.
Originality/Value: By integrating finite element modelling (FEM) with experimental validation, this study thoroughly evaluates the dynamic behaviour of rails supported by concrete sleepers. It sheds novel ways on the track-sleeper interaction, showing how design optimisation can improve performance while decreasing operating costs, which is suitable for railway engineering and sustainable infrastructure.
References
Aggestam, E., Nielsen, J. C. O., Lundgren, K., Zandi, K., & Ekberg, A. (2022). Optimisation of slab track design considering dynamic train–track interaction and environmental impact. Engineering Structures, 254, 113749. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENGSTRUCT.2021.113749
Aktaş, B., Çeçen, F., Öztürk, H., Navdar, M. B., & Öztürk, İ. (2022). Comparison of prestressed concrete railway sleepers and new LCR concrete sleepers with experimental modal analysis. Engineering Failure Analysis, 131, 105821. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENGFAILANAL.2021.105821
Bernal, G. (n.d.). ETD-02-05. www.artc.com.au
Bezgin, N. Ö. (2017). High performance concrete requirements for prefabricated high speed railway sleepers. Construction and Building Materials, 138, 340–351. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2017.02.020
Fang, J., Zhao, C., Lu, X., Xiong, W., & Shi, C. (2023). Dynamic behavior of railway Vehicle-Ballasted track system with unsupported sleepers based on the hybrid DEM-MBD method. Construction and Building Materials, 394, 132091. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2023.132091
Ferro, E., Harkness, J., & Le Pen, L. (2020). The influence of sleeper material characteristics on railway track behaviour: concrete vs composite sleeper. Transportation Geotechnics, 23, 100348. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRGEO.2020.100348
Ganzaroli, C. A., de Carvalho, D. F., Coimbra, A. P., Do Couto, L. A., & Calixto, W. P. (2022). Comparative Analysis of the Optimization and Implementation of Adjustment Parameters for Advanced Control Techniques. Energies 2022, Vol. 15, Page 4139, 15(11), 4139. https://doi.org/10.3390/EN15114139
Harris, B. J., Sun, S. S., Li, W. H., Kumbhalkar, M. A., Bhope, D. V, & Vanalkar, A. V. (2016). Analysis of Rail Vehicle Suspension Spring with Special Emphasis on Curving, Tracking and Tractive Efforts. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 149(1), 012131. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/149/1/012131
He, Z., Zhai, W., Wang, Y., Shi, G., Bao, N., Yuan, X., Chen, Q., Bai, Y., Li, W., Zhang, R., Chen, J., & Wang, H. (2022). Theoretical and experimental study on vibration reduction and frequency tuning of a new damped-sleeper track. Construction and Building Materials, 336, 127420. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2022.127420
Innovations in Railway Track Maintenance Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://www.veeratechnotrec.com/innovations-in-railway-track-maintenance/
Kaewunruen, S., Remennikov, A. M., & Murray, M. H. (2014). Introducing a new limit states design concept to railway concrete sleepers: An Australian experience. In Frontiers in Materials (Vol. 1). Frontiers Media S.A. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2014.00008
Kumbhalkar, M. A., Bhope, D. V., Chaoji, P. P., & Vanalkar, A. V. (2020). Investigation for Failure Response of Suspension Spring of Railway Vehicle: A Categorical Literature Review. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, 20(4), 1130–1142. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11668-020-00918-6/METRICS
Kumbhalkar, M. A., Bhope, D. V., & Vanalkar, A. V. (2017). Evaluation of frequency excitation of helical suspension spring using finite element analysis. International Journal of Computer Aided Engineering and Technology, 9(4), 420–433. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJCAET.2017.086921
Kumbhalkar, M. A., Bhope, D. V., Vanalkar, A. V., & Chaoji, P. P. (2018). Failure Analysis of Primary Suspension Spring of Rail Road Vehicle. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, 18(6), 1447–1460. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11668-018-0542-1/METRICS
Liu, B., Zhang, X., Ye, J., Liu, X., & Deng, Z. (2022). Mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced coral concrete. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 16, e00865. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CSCM.2021.E00865
Miri, A., Ali Zakeri, J., Thambiratnam, D., & Chan, T. H. T. (2021). Effect of shape of concrete sleepers for mitigating of track buckling. Construction and Building Materials, 294, 123568. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2021.123568
Costa, J. N., Antunes, P., Magalhães, H., Pombo, J., & Ambrósio, J. (2021). A finite element methodology to model flexible tracks with arbitrary geometry for railway dynamics applications. Computers & Structures, 254, 106519.
Ouakka, S., Verlinden, O., & Kouroussis, G. (2022). Railway ground vibration and mitigation measures: benchmarking of best practices. Railway Engineering Science, 30(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40534-021-00264-9/FIGURES/7
Punetha, P., Maharjan, K., & Nimbalkar, S. (2021). Finite Element Modeling of the Dynamic Response of Critical Zones in a Ballasted Railway Track. Frontiers in Built Environment, 7, 660292. https://doi.org/10.3389/FBUIL.2021.660292/BIBTEX
Sayeed, M. A., & Shahin, M. A. (2023). Dynamic Response Analysis of Ballasted Railway Track–Ground System under Train Moving Loads using 3D Finite Element Numerical Modelling. Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology, 10(4), 639–659. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40515-022-00238-2/FIGURES/17
Shakeri, A., Remennikov, A. M., & Neaz Sheikh, M. (2022). Development of fibre-reinforced concrete mix for manufacturing non-prestressed concrete sleepers. Structures, 37, 588–599. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ISTRUC.2022.01.035
Shin, H. O., Yang, J. M., Yoon, Y. S., & Mitchell, D. (2016). Mix design of concrete for prestressed concrete sleepers using blast furnace slag and steel fibers. Cement and Concrete Composites, 74, 39–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONCOMP.2016.08.007
Siahkouhi, M., Han, X., Wang, M., Manalo, A., & Jing, G. (2023). Development and performance evaluation of self-healing concrete railway sleepers using different size PU tubes. Engineering Structures, 283, 115920. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENGSTRUCT.2023.115920
Sol-Sánchez, M., Castillo-Mingorance, J. M., Moreno-Navarro, F., & Rubio-Gámez, M. C. (2021a). Smart rail pads for the continuous monitoring of sensored railway tracks: Sensors analysis. Automation in Construction, 132, 103950. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AUTCON.2021.103950
Sol-Sánchez, M., Castillo-Mingorance, J. M., Moreno-Navarro, F., & Rubio-Gámez, M. C. (2021b). Smart rail pads for the continuous monitoring of sensored railway tracks: Sensors analysis. Automation in Construction, 132, 103950. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AUTCON.2021.103950
Sun, H., Li, A., & Zhou, Y. (n.d.). Three Dimensional Finite Element Analysis on Railway Rail You may also like Dry wear characteristics of machined ZL109 aluminum-silicon alloy surface under unidirectional and reciprocating rolling-contact friction. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/429/1/012010
Taherinezhad, J., Sofi, M., Mendis, P. A., & Ngo, T. (2013). A Review of Behaviour of Prestressed Concrete Sleepers. Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering, 13(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.56748/ejse.131571
The Challenges of Railroad Track Maintenance and How to Overcome Them - American Track. (n.d.). Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://americantrack.com/the-challenges-of-railroad-track-maintenance-and-how-to-overcome-them/
Xu, J., Butler, L. J., & Elshafie, M. Z. (2020). Experimental and numerical investigation of the performance of self-sensing concrete sleepers. Structural health monitoring, 19(1), 66-85.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 AFRICAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
By submitting and publishing your articles in the African Journal of Applied Research, you agree to transfer the copyright of the Article from the authors to the Journal ( African Journal of Applied Research).
