Thermal deformation and interfacial separation of a CRTS II slab ballastless track multilayer structure used in high-speed railways based on meteorological data

A refined finite element model (FEM) of a China railway track system CRTS II slab ballastless track structure used in high-speed railways is established based on meteorological data and the track multilayer structural characteristics. Similarly, an analysis method for the thermal deformation and interfacial separation of CRTS II slab ballastless track structure is proposed. The characteristics of the temperature field, thermal deformation, interfacial damage and interfacial separation of CRTS II slab ballastless track structure under natural environmental conditions are revealed. The results show that the thermal deformation shape of the track structure is closely related to the interfacial bond between the track slab and the cement-asphalt (CA) mortar layer. When the interfacial bond strength is high, the deformation of each layer of the structure can be coordinated during heating/cooling, and the deformation of the track plate is small. When the interfacial bond strength is low, and the deformation of the track slab is substantial. Under the high temperatures observed during summer and daytime, track structures are most vulnerable to interlayer damage and separation, which may occur first at the interface between the 300 mm range on both sides of the track slab and the middle area at the end of the track slab. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.