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A study of geogrid-reinforced ballast using laboratory pull-out tests and discrete element modelling

Chen, Cheng; McDowell, Glenn R.; Thom, N.H.

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Authors

Cheng Chen

N.H. Thom



Abstract

This paper presents an evaluation of the behaviour of geogrid-reinforced railway ballast. Experimental large box pull-out tests were conducted to examine the key parameters influencing the interaction between ballast and the geogrid. The experimental results demonstrated that the triaxial geogrid outperforms the biaxial geogrid and the geogrid aperture size is more influential than rib profile and junction profile. The discrete element method (DEM) has then been used to model the interaction between ballast and geogrid by simulating large box pull-out tests and comparing with experimental results. The DEM simulation results have been shown to provide good predictions of the pull-out resistance and reveal the distribution of contact forces in the geogrid-reinforced ballast system. Therefore, the calibrated geogrid model and the use of clumps to model ballast particles hold much promise for investigating the interaction between geogrids and ballast and therefore optimising performance.

Citation

Chen, C., McDowell, G. R., & Thom, N. (in press). A study of geogrid-reinforced ballast using laboratory pull-out tests and discrete element modelling. Geomechanics and Geoengineering, 8(4), https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2013.805253

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 10, 2013
Online Publication Date Jun 27, 2013
Deposit Date Apr 24, 2014
Publicly Available Date Apr 24, 2014
Journal Geomechanics and Geoengineering
Print ISSN 1748-6025
Electronic ISSN 1748-6033
Publisher Taylor and Francis
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 8
Issue 4
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2013.805253
Keywords pull-out test, ballast, geogrid, interlocking, discrete element modelling
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/715442
Publisher URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17486025.2013.805253
Contract Date Apr 24, 2014

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