Influence of under sleeper pads on ballast behavior under cyclic loading: Experimental and numerical studies

Navaratnarajah, SK; Indraratna, B; Ngo, NT

Influence of under sleeper pads on ballast behavior under cyclic loading: Experimental and numerical studies

Navaratnarajah, SK Indraratna, B

Ngo, NT

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Publisher:: ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2018, 144, (9)
Issue Date:: 2018-09-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Navaratnarajah, SK
dc.contributor.author	Indraratna, B https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9057-1514
dc.contributor.author	Ngo, NT
dc.date.accessioned	2022-07-27T23:39:34Z
dc.date.available	2022-07-27T23:39:34Z
dc.date.issued	2018-09-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2018, 144, (9)
dc.identifier.issn	1090-0241
dc.identifier.issn	1943-5606
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/159218
dc.description.abstract	Railway industries are placing greater emphasis on implementing fast and heavy haul corridors for bulk freight and commuter transport in order to deliver more efficient and cost-effective services. However, increasing dynamic stresses from the passage of trains progressively degrades and fouls the primary load-bearing ballast layer, which inevitably leads to excessive settlement and instability, damage to track elements, and more frequent maintenance. Ballasted tracks are subjected to even greater stresses and faster deterioration in sections where a reduced ballast thickness is used (e.g., bridge decks) or at locations where heavier concrete sleepers are used instead of lightweight timber sleepers. The inclusion of under sleeper pads (USPs) at the base of a concrete sleeper is one measure used to minimize dynamic stresses and subsequent track deterioration. In this study, cyclic loads from fast and heavy haul trains were simulated using a large-scale process simulation prismoidal triaxial apparatus (PSPTA) to investigate the performance of ballast improved by USPs. The laboratory results indicate that the inclusion of an elastic element at the harder interface of the concrete sleeper-ballast reduces the stresses transmitted to the ballast and the underlying layers and minimizes the amount of deformation and degradation of the ballast. A three-dimensional finite-element model was used to predict the behavior of ballast, and the influence of USPs on the stress-strain responses of ballast generally agree with the experimental findings.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001954
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	0905 Civil Engineering, 0907 Environmental Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Geological & Geomatics Engineering
dc.title	Influence of under sleeper pads on ballast behavior under cyclic loading: Experimental and numerical studies
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	144
utslib.for	0905 Civil Engineering
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-07-27T23:39:21Z
pubs.issue	9
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	144
utslib.citation.issue	9

Abstract:

Railway industries are placing greater emphasis on implementing fast and heavy haul corridors for bulk freight and commuter transport in order to deliver more efficient and cost-effective services. However, increasing dynamic stresses from the passage of trains progressively degrades and fouls the primary load-bearing ballast layer, which inevitably leads to excessive settlement and instability, damage to track elements, and more frequent maintenance. Ballasted tracks are subjected to even greater stresses and faster deterioration in sections where a reduced ballast thickness is used (e.g., bridge decks) or at locations where heavier concrete sleepers are used instead of lightweight timber sleepers. The inclusion of under sleeper pads (USPs) at the base of a concrete sleeper is one measure used to minimize dynamic stresses and subsequent track deterioration. In this study, cyclic loads from fast and heavy haul trains were simulated using a large-scale process simulation prismoidal triaxial apparatus (PSPTA) to investigate the performance of ballast improved by USPs. The laboratory results indicate that the inclusion of an elastic element at the harder interface of the concrete sleeper-ballast reduces the stresses transmitted to the ballast and the underlying layers and minimizes the amount of deformation and degradation of the ballast. A three-dimensional finite-element model was used to predict the behavior of ballast, and the influence of USPs on the stress-strain responses of ballast generally agree with the experimental findings.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/159218