Abstract:

This paper presents a numerical study on the dynamic responses of the non-ballast track structures under the high-speed train load that is excited by the rail irregularity at the welded rail joint. In this study, a multi-body dynamics model with 10 degrees of freedom is built to model a high-speed vehicle and a finite element model is established to simulate the non-ballast track. A mathematical model is also given to characterize the geometry of the local rail irregularity at the welded rail joint. By coupling the high-speed vehicle model and the track model and taking the mathematical model of the welded rail joint as an input, the dynamic responses of the non-ballast track structures under a rail vehicle running at a high speed are simulated and discussed in this paper. The wheel/rail force and the rail and slab vibration acceleration are investigated to demonstrate the significant dynamic effects on the track structures due to the welded rail joint.

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