Continuously Welded Rail Longitudinal Resistance Modeling

Details

• Creators:
  Amjadian, Mohsen ; Marquez, Eleazar ; Fuentes, Arturo ; Tarawneh, Constantine ; Amaro, Jesus
• Corporate Creators:
  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. University Transportation Center for Railway Safety
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology ; MxV Rail
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Continuous Welded Rail Data Collection Experiments Finite Element Method Ground Anchors Longitudinal Strength Railroads Testing Track Ballast
• Publication/ Report Number:
  UTCRS-UTRGV-I3CY24
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  June 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025
• Corporate Publisher:
  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. University Transportation Center for Railway Safety
• Abstract:
  This research aimed to develop efficient 3D finite element (FE) models to simulate railroad longitudinal resistance in continuously welded rail (CWR). Using experimental data from the University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) and historical data from the Federal Railroad Administration’s 1997 report on CWR behavior and a 2022 FRA-sponsored study on frozen ballast conditions, the goal of this study was to replicate and predict real-world force-displacement behavior in varying rail conditions. In this regard, a parametric FE model, which consists of a 600-ft rail segment and focuses on rail–tie interaction, was developed in ABAQUS software to simulate such conditions. In a conventional railroad system, the rail is the steel element that guides train wheels, ties are horizontal supports that hold the rails in place and transfer loads, and anchors are steel clamps that attach to the rail and bear against the tie to resist longitudinal movement. This modeling approach simulates the anchors as nonlinear springs based on experimental data, enabling better predictions in untested or challenging scenarios. This project presented a unique opportunity, as UTCRS-UTRGV researchers have conducted relevant experimental work that could be directly utilized to inform and validate the finite element modeling, enhancing the accuracy and applicability of the results. The experimental setup involved a single rail segment approximately 26 inches in length mounted on a single tie with one anchor. A longitudinal load was applied to one side of the rail, while displacement was measured at the opposite end, allowing researchers to observe the railroad anchor resistance behavior under controlled conditions. These findings will aid in establishing anchor stiffness for future modeling of full rail resistance, including complex ballast conditions.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  69A3552348340
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e05d4b953c9058e89f0556531d819e35d6e25c8cfaf575bd2512c38aa966b4fc815d12fb8c334474aa2d315a0791527b3d1b7131c4802015af6f40f84b19073f
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/89829/dot_89829_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.90 MB ]