Multifaceted approach for the analysis of rail pad assembly response

To meet the increasingly challenging performance demands due to growing heavy-haul freight operations and increased high-speed rail construction worldwide, advancements in concrete crosstie fastening systems are required. A mechanistic design approach based on scientific principles, derived from extensive laboratory and field investigation and combined with computational analyses, has the potential to improve the current state-of-the-art in fastening system design. The understanding of failure modes and effects on each component, combined with an improved understanding of load distribution and mechanical behavior, will ultimately increase operational efficiency while reducing maintenance and the resulting operating costs. Improvements to the rail pad assembly, the component responsible for attenuating loads and protecting the concrete crosstie rail seat, will enhance the safety and efficiency of the track infrastructure. Lateral, longitudinal, and shear forces exerted on the components of the fastening system may result in displacements and deformations of the rail pad with respect to the rail seat and rail base. The high stresses and relative movements have been found to contribute to multiple failure mechanisms and result in an increased need for maintenance activities. Therefore, the study of rail pad’s mechanical response is important for the improvement of railroad superstructure component design and performance. In this study, the lateral displacement of this component with respect to the rail base and rail seat is analyzed. Additionally, the development of an analytical tool (I-TRACK) based on UIUC’s concrete crosstie and fastening system finite element (FE) model is described, serving as the basis for an investigation of rail pad assembly mechanical behavior. The ultimate goal of I-TRACK is to provide component manufacturers and track engineers with a powerful and adaptable tool to analyze the response of track components and assist in the improvement of their design.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Bizarria do Carmo, Thiago

Contributors dc:contributor

• Andrawes, Bassem
• Edwards, John R.

• Railroad engineering
• fastening systems
• rail pad assemblies
• failure modes
• I-TRACK

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2014 Thiago Bizarria do Carmo

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/49467

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/49467