Root cause of differential movement at bridge transition zones

Stark, Timothy D.; Wilk, Stephen T.

doi:10.1177/0954409715589620

Cited by 44 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…According to the experience of others, e.g., [3], wet ballast has often been observed in transition zones. High moisture in the ballast indicates that the drainage system is not fully functional.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, track irregularities have also been reported in transition zones, e.g., [1,3,4,6,7]. An example of a transition zone with large track irregularities is shown in Figure 16.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The increased dynamic wheel loads may damage track components, for example [1][2][3]6,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]:…”

Section: Introduction Of Transition Zonesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of the Dynamic Wheel Loads in Railway Transition Zones Considering the Moisture Condition of the Ballast and Subballast

Wang

Silvast²,

Markine

et al. 2017

Applied Sciences

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Transition zones in railway tracks are the locations with considerable changes in vertical support structures, e.g., near bridges. Due to possible water flow constrictions in transition zone structures, there is frequently an increased moisture level in the ballast/subballast layers, which is a potential source of track degradation. This paper presents results of the moisture condition measured in three transition zones using ground penetrating radar, where the ballast/subballast are analyzed. The relationship between the moisture condition and track degradation in the transition zones is studied by comparing it to the longitudinal track level that is measured by the track inspection coaches. A strong connection is found between the high moisture condition and track degradation in the transition zones. The dynamic behavior of the transition zones with high moisture condition is analyzed using the Finite Element method. Differential stiffness and settlement are taken into consideration in the transition zone model, which is also coupled with a vehicle. The ballast/subballast layers are modelled as solid elements. Increased moisture conditions are considered as a reduction of elastic modulus, according to laboratory findings. Results show that high moisture leads to an increase of dynamic wheel loads in the transition zone, which explains the connection and confirms that the high moisture condition is a source of transition zone problems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, track irregularities have also been reported in transition zones, e.g., [1,3,4,6,7]. An example of a transition zone with large track irregularities is shown in Figure 16.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of the Dynamic Wheel Loads in Railway Transition Zones Considering the Moisture Condition of the Ballast and Subballast

Wang

Silvast²,

Markine

et al. 2017

Applied Sciences

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“…In order to record transient and permanent vertical displacement, LVDTs can be used by installing LVDTs at various depths in a borehole [97]. The LVDT installed at a sleeper measures the response of a sleeper to the ballast layer.…”

Section: Sensor Placementmentioning

confidence: 99%

State-of-the-Art Review of Railway Track Resilience Monitoring

2018

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Abstract:In recent years, railway systems have played a significant role in transportation systems due to the demand increase in conveying both cargo and passengers. Due to the harsh environments and severe loading conditions, caused by the traffic growth, heavier axles and vehicles and increase in speed, railway tracks are at risk of degradation and failure. Condition monitoring has been widely used to support the health assessment of civil engineering structures and infrastructures. In this context, it was adopted as a powerful tool for an objective assessment of the railway track behaviour by enabling real-time data collection, inspection and detection of structural degradation. According to relevant literature, a number of sensors can be used to monitor track behaviour during the train passing under harsh environments. This paper presents a review of sensors used for structural monitoring of railway track infrastructure, as well as their application to sense the performance of different track components during extreme events. The insight into track monitoring for railways serving traffic with extreme features will not only improve the track inspection and damage detection but also enable a predictive track maintenance regime in order to assist the decision-making process towards more cost-effective management in the railway industry.

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“…However these are difficult to achieve using current trackside monitoring methods, which generally involve mounting a transducer or target on the sleepers or rail or other parts of the track superstructure [2][3][4][5][6]. More complex installations are capable of providing information throughout the track-bed [7], but can be costly especially in terms of the track access required.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Acceleration of Ballast Particles at Track Level

Milne¹,

Pen²,

Watson³

et al.

Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance

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The maximum operational speed of high-speed railways has increased considerably since the 1960s and is forecast to continue to rise. For example, routes being planned today expected to attain opening speeds of at least 360 km/h. When ballasted tracks are used for higher speeds, ballast flight may be of concern. The mechanisms of ballast flight are still not fully understood but it is hypothesized that ballast particles could become airborne owing to a combination of track bed excitation and air flow beneath a passing train. To understand better the mechanics of ballast flight measurements of individual particle accelerations are highly desirable, yet these are difficult to achieve. Trackside monitoring technologies generally provide data on the performance of the track superstructure and the track bed, not individual ballast particles. A novel measurement technique is presented. This is based on the use of low cost MEMs accelerometers embedded within individual ballast particles, which permits measurements of the acceleration of ballast particles in three axes. The utility of the method is demonstrated with reference to measurements from a section of well performing high speed track. Measurements of sleeper movements are also presented to demonstrate that there are differences in the motion of the ballast and the track superstructure.

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Root cause of differential movement at bridge transition zones

Cited by 44 publications

References 19 publications

Analysis of the Dynamic Wheel Loads in Railway Transition Zones Considering the Moisture Condition of the Ballast and Subballast

Analysis of the Dynamic Wheel Loads in Railway Transition Zones Considering the Moisture Condition of the Ballast and Subballast

State-of-the-Art Review of Railway Track Resilience Monitoring

Measuring Acceleration of Ballast Particles at Track Level

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