A novel fatigue cohesive model for interface between ballastless track slab and self-compacting concrete

The interface between track slab and concrete is the weakest zone in a ballastless track. Under the long-term and repeated coupling effect of the environment and train loads, a large area of damage can occur at this interface, leading to the initiation and propagation of interlaminar crack, and the failure of the interlayer bonding area. To reveal the fatigue behaviors and degradation laws of the interface between the prefabricated track plate (C60) and self-compacting concrete (SCC) in China Railway Track System (CRTS) III slab track, a fatigue cohesive zone model is proposed for the analysis of the fatigue bonding performances of the interface C60-SCC, and the fatigue damage degradation criterion is established. Next, static and fatigue tests for C60-SCC composite specimens are conducted, and full-field strain distribution images of these specimens are obtained by the digital image cor-relation technique. The results show that: (1) the evolution of interfacial crack of C60-SCC specimens under monotonic loading was captured and static cohesive parameters were obtained; (2) the fatigue life curve and interfacial separating displacement curves were acquired, for predicting the interface fatigue life and calculating the degree of interface damage and residual fatigue life of CRTS III slab track in service; (3) the fatigue cohesive response of the interface C60-SCC under cyclic loading were determined for describing the fatigue behaviors of the interface in CRTS III slab track.

Automated summary

The interface between the prefabricated track plate and self-compacting concrete in a ballastless track is prone to damage and failure due to long-term environmental and train load effects. A fatigue cohesive zone model is proposed to analyze the fatigue bonding performances of the interface. Static and fatigue tests are conducted on composite specimens, and full-field strain distribution images are obtained. The results provide insight into the fatigue behavior and degradation of the interface in the ballastless track system.