Slab track optimisation considering dynamic train–track interaction
Doctoral thesis, 2021

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Modelling

Genetic algorithm

Slab track

Transition zones

Dynamic vehicle–track interaction

Optimisation

Measurement

Ballastless track

Author

Emil Aggestam

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Dynamics

Popular science description

English

To reduce global warming, greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced. When comparing the environmental impact from different modes of transportation, railway transportation has great potential. However, to make railway transportation competitive, traffic at higher speeds and/or higher axle loads is essential. On the other hand, this will also increase the loading of trains and track and increase costs for maintenance. New innovative track structures can be used, where the so-called slab track is one of the most promising designs. In a slab track, a robust structure is obtained by typically replacing the sleepers and ballast in a conventional track with concrete plates. A major disadvantage of slab track compared to ballasted track is that the environmental footprint of the construction is larger due to the significant required amounts of steel and concrete.

Slab tracks generally have low maintenance demands. However, if maintenance is required it may be expensive and intrusive. On the other hand, overdimensioning of slab track will lead to high environmental impact and monetary cost. In this thesis, computer models of slab tracks have been developed to fit test results. These models are used to increase the understanding of the impact of different operational conditions and track designs. Finally, the models are used in optimisations to strike the delicate balance between having a high-quality track and the environmental costs of having an overdesigned solution.

Research Project(s)

Research into enhanced track and switch and crossing system 2 (In2Track-2)

Swedish Transport Administration, 2018-11-01 -- 2021-10-31.

European Commission (EC) (EC/H2020/826255), 2018-11-01 -- 2021-10-31.

Design criteria for slab track structures (CHARMEC TS19)

Swedish Transport Administration, 2016-07-01 -- 2018-12-31.

Chalmers Railway Mechanics (CHARMEC) (CHARMEC TS19), 2019-01-01 -- 2021-06-30.

Categorizing

Subject Categories (SSIF 2011)

Mechanical Engineering

Areas of Advance

Transport

Infrastructure

C3SE (Chalmers Centre for Computational Science and Engineering)

Identifiers

ISBN

978-91-7905-454-0

Other

Series

Doktorsavhandlingar vid Chalmers tekniska högskola. Ny serie: 4921

Publisher

Chalmers

Public defence

2021-06-11 09:00

Online

Opponent: Professor Ernesto García Vadillo, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain

More information

Latest update

2/3/2022 1