Investigation of deformations of ballasted railway track during collapse using the Digital Image Correlation Method (DICM)

This paper summarizes the results of laboratory tests in which authors investigated effects extremely high vertical load to a railway track segment. The segment consisted cut concrete sleeper (contact area: 290×390 mm) with pair direct-elastic rail fasteners; pieces had standard, full height; structure typical 350 mm depth ballast, underneath approx. 200 sandy gravel supplementary layer. whole assembly was built 2.00×2.20 m area wooden rack. deformations due 150 kN static concentrated force were measured and recorded by Digital Image Correlation Method (DICM), ensuring GOM ATOS technology. peak meant 1326 kPa stress at sleeper-ballast interface. 3D geometry scanned before loading after collapse. In this way, comparison able be executed. maximum deformation 115 mm. DICM technique is relatively new methodology civil engineering; however, it has been applied for more than ten years mechanical engineering. Therefore, applicability field. As result, pre post-states determined 3D. displacement ballast particles defined possibility drawing trajectories given points. can valuable engineering, e.g., field test applications.