A Computational Approach to Smoothen the Abrupt Stiffness Variation along Railway Transitions

Sajjad, MB; Indraratna, B; Ngo, T; Kelly, R; Rujikiatkamjorn, C

A Computational Approach to Smoothen the Abrupt Stiffness Variation along Railway Transitions

Sajjad, MB Indraratna, B

Ngo, T Kelly, R Rujikiatkamjorn, C

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Publisher:: ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2023, 149, (8)
Issue Date:: 2023-08-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Sajjad, MB
dc.contributor.author	Indraratna, B https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2346-8250
dc.contributor.author	Ngo, T
dc.contributor.author	Kelly, R
dc.contributor.author	Rujikiatkamjorn, C https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8625-2839
dc.date.accessioned	2023-12-18T09:11:36Z
dc.date.available	2023-12-18T09:11:36Z
dc.date.issued	2023-08-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2023, 149, (8)
dc.identifier.issn	1090-0241
dc.identifier.issn	1943-5606
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173860
dc.description.abstract	This paper presents a novel approach to smoothen the abrupt stiffness variation along railway transitions and provides a step-by-step design of a multistep transition zone comprising adjoining segments with changing stiffness values. The influence of stiffness on track dynamic response applied to transition zones is investigated analytically, considering a beam on an elastic foundation. Vertical track displacements for varying stiffness values under different combinations of axle loads and speeds are calculated analytically and numerically, and they are found to be in good agreement. The results indicate that stiffer tracks undergo less settlement compared to those having a smaller stiffness. The effect of abrupt stiffness variation at transition sections is analyzed under four-carriage loading that causes considerable differential settlement, which is further exacerbated by increased train speeds. A mathematical process is introduced to determine the optimum stiffness of each segment to ensure a gradual change in stiffness while minimizing the corresponding differential settlement. The proposed methodology is further validated through the finite element modelling approach and worked-out examples epitomizing the effects of stiffness variation along the number of transition steps. From a practical perspective, this study provides a significant extension for design rejuvenation of transition zones by minimizing the differential settlement at any two consecutive transition segments.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/IC170100006
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP220102862
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1061/JGGEFK.GTENG-11294
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0905 Civil Engineering, 0907 Environmental Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Geological & Geomatics Engineering
dc.subject.classification	4005 Civil engineering
dc.subject.classification	4019 Resources engineering and extractive metallurgy
dc.title	A Computational Approach to Smoothen the Abrupt Stiffness Variation along Railway Transitions
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	149
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	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-12-18T09:11:27Z
pubs.issue	8
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	149
utslib.citation.issue	8

Abstract:

This paper presents a novel approach to smoothen the abrupt stiffness variation along railway transitions and provides a step-by-step design of a multistep transition zone comprising adjoining segments with changing stiffness values. The influence of stiffness on track dynamic response applied to transition zones is investigated analytically, considering a beam on an elastic foundation. Vertical track displacements for varying stiffness values under different combinations of axle loads and speeds are calculated analytically and numerically, and they are found to be in good agreement. The results indicate that stiffer tracks undergo less settlement compared to those having a smaller stiffness. The effect of abrupt stiffness variation at transition sections is analyzed under four-carriage loading that causes considerable differential settlement, which is further exacerbated by increased train speeds. A mathematical process is introduced to determine the optimum stiffness of each segment to ensure a gradual change in stiffness while minimizing the corresponding differential settlement. The proposed methodology is further validated through the finite element modelling approach and worked-out examples epitomizing the effects of stiffness variation along the number of transition steps. From a practical perspective, this study provides a significant extension for design rejuvenation of transition zones by minimizing the differential settlement at any two consecutive transition segments.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173860