Substructure Nonlinear Effects on Sleeper Design Pressure in Heavy Haul Railway Tracks

Abstract

This study focused on the effects of track substructure material nonlinearity on sleeper design pressure for conventional heavy haul railway ballasted railway tracks. The material nonlinearity was applied by using Mohr-Coulomb criteria implemented in finite-element method analysis. By varying the railway track axle load, a sensitivity analysis was carried out considering the different clayey subgrade cohesions, elasticity modulus, and ballast internal friction angles. The comparison of analysis results for the elastic and elastoplastic conditions showed significant differences in the pressure distribution pattern and pressure values. By comparing the sleeper’s average pressure values obtained from the nonlinear analysis with the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance Association and Standards Australia standard sleeper design pressure values, two multipliers were suggested.