Studying the Relation of the Residual Stresses in the Ballast Layer to the Elastic Wave Propagation

Abstract During track construction or ballast bed maintenance, layer compaction quality plays an essential role in the following irregularity accumulation, its lifecycle, and maintenance costs. The process is characterized by accumulation of stressed state. elastic wave propagation methods are effective way for identification properties. paper presents theoretical experimental studies consolidation under vibration loading sleeper. practical laboratory study given 1:2.5 scaled physical model one sleeper corresponding box. measurements pressure deformations photogrammetric recording flow carried out. demonstrate residual stresses layer. Furthermore, time flight (ToF) using shakers acceleration sensors show substantial increase ToF velocities after tamping process. Moreover, distribution along spatially inhomogeneous. numeric simulation discrete element method (DEM) testing processes proves inhomogeneous effect. modeling shows that main reason inhomogeneity accumulated stress minor – density. Additionally, a identifying velocity spatial developed tracing medium. procedures allow zones outside shakers.