Modelling of the quasi-static and dynamic mechanisms on ballasted and ballastless tracks

The evaluation of the short and long-term performance of the railways’ infrastructure can have vital importance on the track maintenance operations. This work presents a hybrid methodology capable of simulating the stresses induced in the subgrade and predicting the permanent deformations induced by the passage of the trains. The stresses are obtained using the 2.5D FEM-PML approach, while the permanent deformations and cumulative displacements are obtained through the implementation of an empirical permanent deformation model. This methodology allows obtaining the short and long-term results very expeditiously. This work also evaluates the importance of the dynamic effects on the stresses and permanent deformations and compares the performance of the conventional ballasted track, ballastless track (Rheda system) and an optimised ballastless track constituted only by a concrete slab.