Slab Track Optimization Using Metamodels to Improve Rail Construction Sustainability

Railways are an efficient transport mode, but building and maintaining railway tracks has a significant environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions use raw materials. This is particularly true for slab tracks, which require large quantities concrete. They also more expensive to build than conventional ballasted less maintenance have other advantages that make them good alternative, especially high-speed lines. To contribute sustainable railways, this paper aims optimize the design one most common track typologies: RHEDA 2000. The main objective reduce amount concrete required without compromising its performance durability. do so, model based on finite-element method (FEM) was used, paired with kriging metamodel allow analyzing multiple options thickness strength timely manner. By means kriging, optimal solutions were obtained then validated through FEM ensure predefined mechanical geometrical constraints met. Starting from initial setup 30-cm made characteristic 40 MPa, optimized solution reached, consisting 24-cm 45 yields cost reduction 17.5%. process may be now applied typologies obtain designs.