Discreet element modeling of under sleeper pads using a box test

Li, Huiqi; McDowell, Glenn R.

Abstract

It has recently been reported that under sleeper pads (USPs) could improve ballasted rail track by decreasing the sleeper settlement and reducing particle breakage. In order to find out what happens at the particle-pad interface, discrete element modelling (DEM) is used to provide micro mechanical insight. The same positive effects of USP are found in the DEM simulations. The evidence provided by DEM shows that application of a USP allows more particles to be in contact with the pad, and causes these particles to transfer a larger lateral load to the adjacent ballast but a smaller vertical load beneath the sleeper. This could be used to explain why the USP helps to reduce the track settlement. In terms of particle breakage, it is found that most breakage occurs at the particle-sleeper interface and along the main contact force chains between particles under the sleeper. The use of USPs could effectively reduce particle abrasion that occurs in both of these regions.

Citation

Li, H., & McDowell, G. R. (2018). Discreet element modeling of under sleeper pads using a box test. Granular Matter, 20(2), Article 26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-018-0795-0

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 2, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Mar 17, 2018
• Publication Date: May 31, 2018
• Deposit Date: Mar 8, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 17, 2018
• Journal: Granular Matter
• Print ISSN: 1434-5021
• Electronic ISSN: 1434-7636
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 2
• Article Number: 26
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-018-0795-0
• Keywords: DEM; Railway ballast; Under sleeper pad
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/935872
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10035-018-0795-0
• Contract Date: Mar 8, 2018