Analysis of the Impact of the Ribbon Track on Unconventional Fixing on a Steel Multi‐Span Bridge

Abstract

The presented analysis deals with the influence of ribbon rail track on its unconventional fixing on a steel multi‐span bridge. Specially adapted stiffeners for the transfer of horizontal forces from the track to the superstructure are used in such cases. Local defects created over the years point out the overstressing of the fixing stiffeners to the combined response of the structure and the track. Subsequently, there is an adverse effect on the continuous ribbon track and the speed or pass‐ability of the bridge can be significantly limited.Numerical analyses are confronted with in‐situ experimental measurements realized at the 450 m long 14‐span‐bridge within an international railway line. Experimental measurements were focused mainly on influence of temperature and breaking/accelerating forces. The results showed a significant impact of temperature effects on the rails leading into unexpected longitudinal displacements and unwanted stresses in the analyzed details of the track fixation. A global model and local sub‐models in two FEM software were elaborated to analyze real behavior in a theoretical way.Researchers from the university and the R&D staff of the state railway administrator's institute collaborated in this research within the mutual long‐term cooperation.