The roles of the several parameters that influences railway track deterioration most, are examined in this research with a view to make railway track maintenance more effective and cost efficient. The results presented are based on a comprehensive study of railway track degradation on super structure, sub-structure and geometrical aspects. The changes in TQI (Track Quality Index), the track set...

The determination of the strategy to ensure that the geometry for railway track is kept within acceptable limits, in a cost effective manner, is a complex process. It requires the simultaneous consideration of the activities which govern inspection, maintenance and renewal. In addition to this the geometry degradation process is dependent upon the maintenance history. The condition where the tr...

The present contribution deals with the numerical modeling of railway track-supporting systems-using coupled finite-infinite elements-to represent the near and distant field stress distribution, and also employing a thin layer interface element to account for the interfacial behavior between sleepers and ballast. To simulate the relative debonding, slipping and crushing at the contact area betw...

Railway ballast tamping operation is employed in order to restore the geometry of railway track distorted by train traffics. In this paper, based on analysis of tamping principle, the discrete element analysis model of railway ballast is created using the discrete element method, numerical simulations are performed to study the change of railway ballast compactness during tamping process. This ...

the track stiffness experienced by a train will vary along the track. sometimes the stiffness variation may be very large within a short distance. one example is when an unsupported sleeper is hanging in the rail. track stiffness is then, locally at that sleeper, very low. at insulated joints the bending stiffness of the rail has a discontinuity implying a discontinuity also of the track stiffn...

Ensuring safe train operation, minimizing service interruptions, and optimizing maintenance procedures are primary railway industry focus areas. To support these goals, a multi-disciplinary team of researchers at the University Illinois Urbana-Champaign proposed wireless, continuous, accurate methodology to monitor track conditions. This project, referred as “Smart Track”, included development ...