A new time-delayed periodic boundary condition for discrete element modelling of railway track under moving wheel loads

Abstract A new time-delayed periodic boundary condition (PBC) has been proposed for discrete element modelling (DEM) of structures subject to moving loads such as railway track based on a box test which is normally used an testing model. The PBC approached by predicting forces acting ghost particles with the consideration different loading phases adjacent sleepers whereas normal simply gives same contact original particles. By comparing sleeper in single fixed boundary, and newly (TDPBC), TDPBC was found produce closest settlement that middle three-sleeper assumed be free effects. It appears can eliminate effect more effectively than either or cell. Graphic abstract