DEM Analysis of Track Ballast for Track Ballast–Wheel Interaction Simulation

This study aims to suggest a rational analysis method for a track ballast–wheel interaction that could be further developed to model the interaction in a train-derailment event, based on the discrete-element method (DEM). Track ballast is filled with gravel to form the trackbed. Although finite-elem...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied sciences Vol. 10; no. 8; p. 2717
Main Authors Lim, Nam-Hyoung, Kim, Kyoung-Ju, Bae, Hyun-Ung, Kim, Seungjun
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.04.2020
Subjects
Computer simulation
Concrete
contact model
DEM
Derailments
Discrete element method
drop test
Drop tests
Experiments
explicit dynamics
Finite element method
Gravel
Impact tests
Mathematical models
Methods
Prevention
Railroad ballast
Simulation
Structural analysis
Studies
track ballast
Track interaction models
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Summary:This study aims to suggest a rational analysis method for a track ballast–wheel interaction that could be further developed to model the interaction in a train-derailment event, based on the discrete-element method (DEM). Track ballast is filled with gravel to form the trackbed. Although finite-element analysis (FEA) is widely applied in structural analysis, track ballast cannot be analyzed using conventional FEA because this approach does not allow separation of elements that share nodes. The DEM has been developed to analyze the dynamic behavior of separable objects, assuming that the objects are rigid. Therefore, track ballast can be modeled as separable rigid pieces of gravel, and its dynamic behavior can be analyzed using a rational contact model. In this study, a rational numerical strategy for track ballast–wheel interaction was investigated using the DEM approach. The suggested analysis method was validated through comparison with the experimental results of a drop test. In addition, case studies were conducted to investigate the effects of the contact-model parameters on the simulation result.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app10082717