A numerical study of the lateral ballast resistance in railway tracks

Journal article, 2006

Three-dimensional elastoplastic finite-element (FE) simulations of ballast deformation in a track with focus on lateral resistance have been conducted. Ballast geometry, vertical and lateral loading, and friction between ballast and sleeper are being varied in a parametric study. Sleeper displacements are studied under different conditions in order to find out which lateral resistance the ballast will provide and how this resistance depends on the various parameters. In addition to extending the state of the art, the knowledge gained in the study will be essential in the design of a structural element to represent the ballast in a model of the full track that is to be used for analysing lateral track stability.