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A. Shamohammadi¹, E. Kassa², A. Bouazza¹, T. Marolt Čebašek³ and C. Qiu²

¹Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
²Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
³School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom

doi:10.4203/ccc.15.16.2

A. Shamohammadi, E. Kassa, A. Bouazza, T. Marolt Čebašek, C. Qiu, "Development and Validation of a Numerical Track Model with Resilient Layers for Heavy Haul Railways", in J. Pombo, (Editor), "Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance ", Civil-Comp Press, Edinburgh, UK, Online volume: CCC 15, Paper 16.2, 2026, doi:10.4203/ccc.15.16.2

Keywords: sustainable railway infrastructure, heavy axle load, finite element track model, end-of-life rubber, static and cyclic loading, resilient under-ballast interlayer.

Abstract

This study presents a validated three-dimensional finite element modelling framework for heavy axle load ballasted track, incorporating a resilient under ballast interlayer manufactured from reused end of life conveyor belt rubber, supporting circular-economy practice by diverting industrial rubber waste from landfill. The model is calibrated and validated against full-scale static and cyclic displacement measurements, then used to evaluate track response under static loading. Under static loading, the interlayer modifies support stiffness and redistributes load at the ballast-sub-ballast interface, reducing rail and sleeper deflections relative to track model without the resilient interlayer. Overall, the results indicate improved resilience while enabling sustainability-driven material reuse in heavy haul railway infrastructure.

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Front Page Browse CCC CCP CSETS CTR IJRT Other Authors Search Purchase Guide FAQ Contact us	Civil-Comp Conferences ISSN 2753-3239 CCC: 15 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RAILWAY TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE Edited by: J. Pombo Paper 16.2 Development and Validation of a Numerical Track Model with Resilient Layers for Heavy Haul Railways A. Shamohammadi¹, E. Kassa², A. Bouazza¹, T. Marolt Čebašek³ and C. Qiu² ¹Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia ²Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia ³School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom doi:10.4203/ccc.15.16.2 Full Bibliographic Reference for this paper A. Shamohammadi, E. Kassa, A. Bouazza, T. Marolt Čebašek, C. Qiu, "Development and Validation of a Numerical Track Model with Resilient Layers for Heavy Haul Railways", in J. Pombo, (Editor), "Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance ", Civil-Comp Press, Edinburgh, UK, Online volume: CCC 15, Paper 16.2, 2026, doi:10.4203/ccc.15.16.2 Keywords: sustainable railway infrastructure, heavy axle load, finite element track model, end-of-life rubber, static and cyclic loading, resilient under-ballast interlayer. Abstract This study presents a validated three-dimensional finite element modelling framework for heavy axle load ballasted track, incorporating a resilient under ballast interlayer manufactured from reused end of life conveyor belt rubber, supporting circular-economy practice by diverting industrial rubber waste from landfill. The model is calibrated and validated against full-scale static and cyclic displacement measurements, then used to evaluate track response under static loading. Under static loading, the interlayer modifies support stiffness and redistributes load at the ballast-sub-ballast interface, reducing rail and sleeper deflections relative to track model without the resilient interlayer. Overall, the results indicate improved resilience while enabling sustainability-driven material reuse in heavy haul railway infrastructure. download the full-text of this paper (PDF, 11 pages, 1029 Kb) go to the previous paper go to the next paper return to the table of contents return to the volume description
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