Development of a mathematical model of railway track using Pseudo-plane strain technique

Several models have been developed for analyses and design of railway track substructure [1]. Utilizing the current models require a complicated mathematical procedure as well as lengthy procedures which are not practical for a railway engineer who needs to evaluate different designs at a minimum cost. More over, most of these models don’t incorporate material non-linearity of track components. In this research a 3-D FEM model for a railway track system is developed by using a simplified model with incorporation of the pseudo plane-strain [7]. In this model the three-dimensional stress distribution with depth and adequate angle of distribution is considered to improve deficiencies of current models. In this paper current models is discussed and the development of new model is detailed. Evaluation and justification of the model is presented.

Keywords:

ballast , track support system , finite element , Pseudo-plane strain