An improved method for slab track-soil interaction considering soil surface deformation

The additional deformation of slab track structure subject to arbitrary soil deformation, and subsequently the dynamic deformation coordination between the track and the soil due to a moving vehicle are of significant importance in the analysis of vehicle-track-soil (VTS) interactions. In this work, the finite element modeling and numerical iterative method are presented to compile a simulation program to reveal the deformation coordinated process of slab track-soil interaction reasonably, where the contact-separation relationship at the slab track-soil interface, the interlayered gap between slab track and soil surface, and additional track deformation are derived as additional geometric excitations of VTS interaction system. In numerical studies, different slab track types considering the unit and the longitudinal connected base plates are taken as illustrative and comparative examples, where the deformation coordinated mechanism of slab track-soil interaction and its influence on vehicle-induced vibrations are clarified.

Automated summary

In this study, a simulation program is developed using finite element modeling and numerical iterative method to reveal the coordinated deformation process of slab track-soil interaction. The contact-separation relationship at the slab track-soil interface, the interlayered gap between slab track and soil surface, and additional track deformation are considered as additional geometric excitations of the VTS interaction system. Numerical studies clarify the deformation coordinated mechanism of slab track-soil interaction and its influence on vehicle-induced vibrations.