Application of shakedown theory in the design of earth structures for tracks under repeated train loads

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Tracks require high performance of earth structures against excessive residual settlement under repeated train loads. In the current design standards, good quality of soil materials and compaction control are strictly prescribed based on empirical knowledge and scale tests; however, construction cost becomes relatively high accordingly. A more rational design method based on shakedown theory is presented in this paper. This method makes use of the lower-bound shakedown theorem and models the soils as Mohr-Coulomb materials. By calculating the analytical load-induced dynamic elastic stress field in a three-dimensional half-space and introducing a self-equilibrated residual stress field, the maximum magnitude of surface pressure on the soil foundation (i.e. shakedown limit) against long-term residual settlement is calculated through an optimization program. It is found the shakedown limit is dependent on the ratio of train velocity to shear wave velocity for a given earth structure. The shakedown limits for cases with different train velocities are compared with the design pressure from track analysis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages1175-1182
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Event15th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, IACMAG 2017 - Wuhan, China
Duration: 19 Oct 201723 Oct 2017

Conference

Conference15th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, IACMAG 2017
Country/TerritoryChina
CityWuhan
Period19/10/1723/10/17

Keywords

  • Dynamic
  • Earth structure
  • Lower-bound
  • Shakedown
  • Train loads

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Applied Mathematics

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