Rubber Pad Intensity and Track Stiffness of Double Slip Turnout in Heavy Haul Railway

Double slip turnout is common in heavy haul railway and due to its complex structure, its maintenance is difficult as well as important. Focusing on No.12 double slip turnout (75 kg/m rail), this study analyzed the intensity of the different slotted rubber pad under iron plate and track stiffness of turnout zone based on the finite element method with a purpose of improving the performance of the double slip turnout. Results show that: the depth of groove on rubber pad and groove center distance have great influences on the equivalent stresses of iron plate and the pad; under pressure of 85.52 kN on sleeper, the maximal equivalent stresses of iron plate and the pad under iron plate are 72.959 and 2.141 MPa, respectively, both smaller than their allowable value; the maximal longitudinal variation rates of entire track stiffness are 1.42 and 1.34 respectively; the stiffness uniformity of the diamond-shaped double slip turnout can meet the requirement that the train runs at or below 120 km/h. All these achievements can be used as the theoretical guidance for performance optimization of double slip turnout and improving the running stability of heavy haul trains as well as extending service life of the turnout