Modelling ballast via a non-linear lattice to assess its compaction behaviour at railway transition zones

• A novel lattice model to capture nonlinear ballast behaviour is developed The included in a 2D railway track with transition zone Ballast compaction on its own cannot cause progressive deterioration of the Locations tracks where significant variations properties occur are subject increased deterioration. To successfully mitigate this, mechanisms leading need be understood. this end, work presents non-linear constitutive law for able describe ballast. parameters connections tuned against lab experiments cyclic loading tests and direct shear tests. can used different foundation provided that equivalent applied case transitions, which under train studied as geometry degradation. It observed cases culvert crossing ballast-slab transition, operation-induced converges monotonously stable situation, without changes vehicle-track interaction. therefore insufficient stand-alone mechanism explain process degradation geometry. Other like autonomous differential settlement at level must taken into account such cases.