Computational & Technology Resources
an online resource for computational,
engineering & technology publications
Civil-Comp Proceedings
ISSN 1759-3433
CCP: 110
PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RAILWAY TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
Edited by: J. Pombo
Paper 181

Finite Element Method - Wave Finite Element Method Coupling to Compute the Forced Response of an Infinite Periodically Supported Railway Track

T. Gras1,2, M.-A. Hamdi2 and M. Ben Tahar2

1Institut de Recherche Technologique Railenium, Espace Technopôle Le Mont Houy, Famars, France
2Sorbonne Universités, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS UMR 7337 Roberval, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60 319 - 60 203 Compiègne, France

Full Bibliographic Reference for this paper
T. Gras, M.-A. Hamdi, M. Ben Tahar, "Finite Element Method - Wave Finite Element Method Coupling to Compute the Forced Response of an Infinite Periodically Supported Railway Track", in J. Pombo, (Editor), "Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance", Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, UK, Paper 181, 2016. doi:10.4203/ccp.110.181
Keywords: periodicity, dynamic response, wave finite element method, coupling method, pre-load.

Summary
The goal of this paper is to calculate the vertical forced response of an infinite periodically supported railway track with a non periodic central loaded part. The periodicity breakdown can be due to a concentrated load on the supports or irregularities of the track. The supports parameters are dependent of the load and frequency and the wheel can locally preload pads and ballast and so modify their stiffness around the wheel.

The rail is modelled using Timoshenko beam elements to allow shear distortion inside the rail. Pads and ballast are modelled with linear damped springs. The central part of the track is assembled with the finite element method whereas the left and right semi-infinite part of the track are computed with the wave finite element method. The three substructures are then coupled to express the dynamic response of the track due to an external force caused by a single wheel on the central part.

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £22)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £85 +P&P)