Ballastless railway track transition zones: An embankment to tunnel analysis

• Modelling of a ballastless track over an embankment-tunnel transition zone. Development hybrid methodology to simulate the degradation process track. Only 30% subgrade is contributing permanent deformation. Ballastless shows satisfactory long-term performance after 1 million loading cycles. Inclusion resilient mat under concrete slab reduces higher stresses at Railway zones are characterised by abrupt change in support stiffness, which increases dynamic wheel loads and leads acceleration differential settlement degradation. The concern for railway Infrastructure Managers due increased maintenance operations costs typically associated with these short sections. To date, majority zone studies focused on analysis ballasted tracks, however, popularity has been increasing, especially high-speed lines. Therefore, this work aims study zones, focus embankment/plain line-to-tunnel uses methodology, combining 3D finite element modelling empirical equations, iterative manner. model capable simulating train-track interaction contact elements potential detachment (voiding) between slab’s hydraulically bound layer frost protection layer. At each iteration, firstly track-ground stress fields calculated using model, before passing them calibrated equation computing across transition. Then, starting next settlements used modify geometry, thus account effects previous settlement, updated fields. analyse case-study, ability improve