With the growing use of high speed trains, non-ballasted track has become more popular, in spite of its higher construction cost compared to ballasted track. This work studies the fatigue behavior of a slab track using the finite element method.…
With the growing use of high speed trains, non-ballasted track has become more popular, in spite of its higher construction cost compared to ballasted track. This work studies the fatigue behavior of a slab track using the finite element method. According to Tayabji and Bilow, our slab track system can be classified as a two-slab layer system: a precast reinforced concrete plate and a concrete base, separated by a cement-asphalt-mortar sandwich layer. The entire slab track structure and the soil sub-base are modeled as 3D solid elements, the UIC60 rail represented as truss elements is attached to the surface slab through the fastening devices. A three-slab track system is modeled to reduce the boundary effects, though we only focus on the response of the central slab. Modal analysis is performed to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the system. Real high-speed train pulses are applied to the rail to carry out the transient analysis. Most unfavorable nodes or regions are identified for cycle counting, meanwhile the number of cycles causing fatigue failure at each stress level is estimated according to the new FIB Model Code. Parametric analyses are carried out to evaluate the influence of different geometrical and mechanical factors on accumulated damage. Minimum requirement for material strength and slab thickness is proposed according to the current study.