Assessment of an Iterative Settlement Procedure in Railway Switches and Crossings Using Two Different Approaches

Michel Sebès, Samuel Hawksbee, Fares Naccache, Pedro Jorge, Moncef Toumi, Ilaria Grossoni, Yann Bezin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Differential settlement in transition zones of railways tracks is a consequence of variable track stiffness and load distribution potentially leading to the development of voided sleepers. This paper addresses the simulation of differential settlement in transition zones of turnouts. An iterative settlement procedure (ISP) has recently been proposed which combines short-term simulations of the vehicle-track interaction with long-term assessments of the settlement. A finite element model is used in order to estimate the track sublayers stresses. Owing to the asymmetry of turnouts, this ISP is extended in order to consider non-symmetry. The symmetrical and non-symmetrical approaches are compared in the case study of the Shift2Rail demonstrator located near Vienna, Austria. The transition zone between the plain line and the switch panel is considered where a good calibration of the short-term model is obtained. Further works should study the influence of flexible sleepers, the level of discretization and the dynamic contribution of substructure stresses. The novel non-symmetrical approach should prove even more relevant in the transition zone between long and short bearers in the crossing panel. Long-term monitoring tests on the track settlement are recommended to verify the accuracy of the proposed settlement prediction model. It is hoped that the novel approach can be used to help design and/or validate innovative concepts of turnouts and their effects on train dynamics.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Dynamics of Vehicles on Roads and Tracks III
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 28th Symposium of the International Association of Vehicle System Dynamics, IAVSD 2023, Rail Vehicles
EditorsWei Huang, Mehdi Ahmadian
PublisherSpringer, Cham
Pages1209-1218
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9783031669712
ISBN (Print)9783031669705
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2024
Event28th IAVSD Symposium on Dynamics of Vehicles on Roads and Tracks - Ottawa, Canada
Duration: 21 Aug 202325 Aug 2023
Conference number: 28

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering
PublisherSpringer
ISSN (Print)2195-4356
ISSN (Electronic)2195-4364

Conference

Conference28th IAVSD Symposium on Dynamics of Vehicles on Roads and Tracks
Abbreviated titleIAVSD 2023
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityOttawa
Period21/08/2325/08/23

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