Structural Monitoring and Maintenance

Techno-Press (테크노프레스)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

A review on modelling and monitoring of railway ballast

  • Received : 2017.08.26
  • Accepted : 2017.09.07
  • Published : 2017.09.25
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Nowadays, railway system plays a significant role in transportation, conveying cargo, passengers, minerals, grains, and so forth. Railway ballasted track is a conventional railway track as can be seen all over the world. Ballast, located underneath the sleepers, is the most important elements on ballasted track, which has many functions and requires routine maintenance. Ballast needs to be maintained frequently to prevent rail buckling, settlement, misalignment so that ballast has to be modelled accurately. Continuum model was introduced to model granular material and was extended in ballast. However, ballast is a heterogeneous material with highly nonlinear behaviour. Hence, ballast could not be modelled accurately in continuum model due to the discontinuities nature and material degradation of ballast. Discrete element modelling (DEM) is proposed as an alternative approach that provides insight into constitutive model, realistic particle, and contact algorithm between each particle. DEM has been studied in many recent decades. However, there are limitations due to the high computational time and memory consumption, which cause the lack of using in high range. This paper presents a review of recent ballast modelling with benefits and drawbacks. Ballast particles are illustrated either circular, circular crump, spherical, spherical crump, super-quadric, polygonal and polyhedral. Moreover, the gaps and limitations of previous studies are also summarized. The outcome of this study will help the understanding into different ballast modelling and particle. The insight information can be used to improve ballast modelling and monitoring for condition-based track maintenance.

Keywords

References

  1. Abbas, A., Masad, E., Papagiannakis, T. and Harman, T. (2007), "Micromechanical modelling of the viscoelastic behavior of asphalt mixtures using the discrete-element method", Int. J. Geomechanics, 7(2), 131-139. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1532-3641(2007)7:2(131)
  2. Abdelkrim, M., Bonnet, G. and de Buhan, P. (2003), "A computational procedure for predicting the long term residual settlement of a platform induced by replaced traffic loading", Comput. Geotech., 30(6), 463-476. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-352X(03)00010-7
  3. Aikawa, A. (2017), "Impact-loading-test regarding ballast subsidence countermeasurs using high-damping under sleeper pads and high-strength artificial ballast cubes", Proceedings of the 14th International conference & Exhibition of Railway Engineering, Edinburgh, UK.
  4. Alva-Hurtado, J.E. and Selig, E.T. (1981), "Permanent strain behavior of railroad ballast", Proceeding of the International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, 1, 543-546.
  5. Barr, A.H. (1981), "Superquadrics and Angle-Preserving Transformations", IEEE Comput. Graph. Appl., 1(1), 11-23. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCG.1981.1673799
  6. Chazallon, C., Koval, G. and Mouhoubi, S. (2012), "A two-mechanism elastoplastic model for shakedown of unbound granular materials and DEM simulations", Int. J. Numer. Anal. Method. Geomech., 36(17), 1847-1868. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.1070
  7. Chen, C., McDowell, G.R. and Thom, N.H. (2014) "Investigating geogrid-reinforced ballast: experimental pull-out tests and discrete element modeling", Soils Found, 54(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2013.12.001
  8. Chung, Y.C. and Ooi, J.Y. (2008), "A study of influence of gravity on bulk behaviour of particulate solid", Particuology, 6, 467-474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2008.07.017
  9. Cundall, P.A. (1971), "A Computer Model for Simulating Progressive, Large Scale Movements in Blocky Rock Systems", International Symposium on Rock Fracture, I.S.R.M., Nancy, France.
  10. Cundall, P.A. and Strack, O.D.L. (1979), "A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies", Geotechnique, 29(1), 47-65. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1979.29.1.47
  11. Cundall, P.A. (1988), "Formulation of a Three-Dimensional Distinct Element Model -- Part I. A Scheme to Detect and Represent Contacts in a system Composed of Many Polyhedral Blocks", Int. J. Rock Mech., Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr., 25(3), 107-116.
  12. Cundall, P.A. and Hart, R.D. (1992), "Numerical modeling of discontinua", Engr. Comp., 9(2), 101-103. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb023851
  13. Di Renzo, A. and Di Maio, F. P. (2005), "An improved integral non-linear model for the contact of particles in distinct element simulations", Chem. Eng. Sci., 60(5), 1303-1312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2004.10.004
  14. Elias, J. (2013), "DEM simulation of railway ballast using polyhedral elemental shapes", Proceedings of the 2nd international conference on particle-based methods - fundamentals and applications, Stuttgart, Germany.
  15. Esveld, C., (2001), Modern Railway Track, second ed., MRT-Productions, Netherlands.
  16. Ferellec J.F. and McDowell, G.R. (2010) "A method to model realistic particle shape and inertia in DEM", Granul Matter, 12(5), 459-467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-010-0205-8
  17. Gallego, I., Munoz, J., Rivas, A. and Sanchez-Cambronero, S. (2011), "Vertical track stiffness as a new parameter involved in designing high-speed railway infrastructure", J. Transport. Eng., 137(12), 971-979. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)TE.1943-5436.0000288
  18. Gallego, I., Pita, A.L., Chaves, E.W.V. and Alvarez, A.M.R. (2011), "Design of embankment-structure transitions for railway infrastructure", Proc. ICE-Transport, 165(1), 27-37.
  19. Gallego, I., Rivas, A. and Sanchez-Cambronero, S. (2012), "Criteria for Improving the Embankment-Structure Transition Design in Railway Lines", INTECH Open Access Publisher, Croatia.
  20. Garcia, X., Xiang, J., Latham, J.P. and Harrison J.P. (2009) "A clustered overlapping sphere algorithm to represent real particles in discrete element modeling", Geotechnique, 59(9), 779-784. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.8.T.037
  21. Hertz, H. (1895), "Ueber die Beruehrung Elastischer Koerper (On Contact between Elastic Bodies)", in Gesammelte Werke (Collected Works), Leipzig, Germany.
  22. Hess, W. and Schonert, K. (1981), "Brittle-plastic transition in small particles", Proceedings of the Powtech Conference on Particle Technology, Birmingham, UK.
  23. Hohner, D., Wirtz, S. and Scherer, V. (2013), "Experimental and numerical investigation on the influence of particle shape and shape approximation on hopper discharge using the discrete element method", Powder Technol., 235, 614-627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2012.11.004
  24. Indraratna, B., Wijewardena, S. and Balasubramaniam, A.S. (1993), "Large scale triaxial testing of a greywacke rockfill", Geotechnique, 43(1) 37-51.
  25. Indraratna, B., Ionescu, D. and Christie, H.D. (1998), "Shear behaviour of railway ballast based on large-scale triaxial tests", J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. - ASCE, 124(5), 439-449. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(1998)124:5(439)
  26. Indraratna, B., Ionescu, D. and Christie, H.D. (1998), "Shear behaviour of railway ballast based on large-scale triaxial tests", J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. - ASCE, 124(5), 439-449. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(1998)124:5(439)
  27. Indraratna, B. and Salim, W. (2002). "Modelling of particle breakage of coarse aggregates incorporating strength and dilatancy", Proc. Instn Civ. Engrs Geotech. Eng., 155(4) 243-252. https://doi.org/10.1680/geng.2002.155.4.243
  28. Indraratna, B., Lackenby, J. and Christie, H.D. (2005), "Effect of confining pressure on the degradation of ballast under cyclic loading", Geotechnique, 55(4) 325-328. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2005.55.4.325
  29. Indraratna, B., Salim, W. and Rujikiatkamjorn, C. (2011), Adavanced Rail Geotechnology-Ballasted Track, Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK.
  30. Indraratna, B., Nimbalkar, S. and Rujikiatkamjorn, C. (2011), "Stabilisation of ballast and subgrade with geosynthetic grids and drains for rail infrastructure", Proceedings of the International Conference on Advances in Geotechnical Engineering, Perth, Australia.
  31. Indraratna, B., Ngo, N., Rujikiatkamjorn, C. and Vinod, J.S. (2014), "Behavior of fresh and fouled railway ballast subjected to direct shear testing: discrete element simulation", Int. J. Geomechanics, 14(1), 34-44. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000264
  32. Irazabel, J., Salazar, F. and Onate, E. (2017), "Numerical modelling of granular materials with spherical discrete particles and the bounded rolling friction model. Application to railway ballast", Comput. Geotechnics, 85, 220-229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.12.034
  33. Itasca (2003), Particle Flow Code in Two Dimensions, Itasca Consulting Group, Inc., Minnesota. USA.
  34. Jung, S.D., Kim, J.S., Park, J.W., Won, J.H. and Kim, M.K. (2013), "Distinct element method analysis of a retaining wall using a steel frame and fill materials", Multimedia Tools Appl., 74(20), 9017-9029. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-013-1534-5
  35. Kaewunruen, S. (2014), "Monitoring in-service performance of fibre-reinforced foamed urethane material as timber-replacement sleepers/bearers in railway urban turnout systems", Struct. Monit. Maint., 1(1), 131-157 (invited). https://doi.org/10.12989/SMM.2014.1.1.131
  36. Kaewunruen, S. and Kimani, S.K. (2017), "Damped frequencies of pre-cast modular steel-concrete composites railway track slabs", Steel Compos. Struct., in press.
  37. Kaewunruen, S. and Mirza, O. (2017), "Hybrid discrete element - finite element simulation for railway bridgetrack interaction", Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Innovative Materials, Structures and Technologies, Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia, 27-29 September 2017.
  38. Kaewunruen, S. and Remennikov, A.M. (2010), "Dynamic properties of railway track and its components: Recent findings and future research direction", Insight: Non-Destructive Testing and Condition Monitoring, 52(1), 20-22. https://doi.org/10.1784/insi.2010.52.1.20
  39. Kaewunruen, S., Remennikov, A.M. and Murray, M.H. (2014), "Introducing limit states design concept to concrete sleepers: an Australian experience", Frontiers in Mat., 1(8), 1-3.
  40. Kaewunruen, S., Sussman, J.M. and Matsumoto, A. (2016), "Grand challenges in transportation and transit systems", Front. Built Environ., 2:4. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2016.00004
  41. Kimani, S.K. and Kaewunruen, S. (2017), "Free vibrations of pre-cast modular steel-concrete composites railway track slabs", Steel Compos. Struct., in press.
  42. Kumara, J.J. and Hayano, K. (2016), "Importance of particle shape on stress-strain behaviour of crushed stonesand mixtures", Geomech. Eng., 10(4), 455-470. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2016.10.4.455
  43. Lane, J.E., Metzger, P.T. and Wilkinson, R.A. (2010), A Review of Discrete Element Method (DEM) Particle Shapes and Size Distributions for Lunar Soil, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
  44. Lim, W. L. (2004), "Mechanics of railway ballast behaviour", Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Nottingham, UK.
  45. Lim, W.L., McDowell, G.R. and Collop, A.C. (2004), "The application of Weibull statistics to the strength of railway ballast", Granular Matter, 6, 229-237.
  46. Lim, W. and McDowell, G. (2005), "Discrete element modelling of railway ballast", Granular Matter, 7, 19-29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-004-0189-3
  47. Lobo-Guerrero, S., Vallejo, L.E. and Vesga, L.F. (2006), "Visualization of Crushing Evolution in Granular Materials under Compression Using DEM", Int. J. Geomech., 6(3), 195-200 https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1532-3641(2006)6:3(195)
  48. Lobo-Guerrero, S. and Vallejo, L.E. (2006), "Discrete element method analysis of railtrack ballast degradation during cyclic loading", Granular Matter, 8(3-4), 195-204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-006-0006-2
  49. Mahmouda, E., Papagiannakisb, A.T. and Renteriaa, D. (2016), "Discrete element analysis of railway ballast under cycling loading", Procedia Eng., 143, 1068-1076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.06.221
  50. Marsal, R.J. (1973), "Mechanical properties of rockfill", John Wiley & Sons, New York, USA
  51. Matsushima, T., Katagiri, J., Uesugi, K., Tsuchiyama, A. and Nakano, T. (2009) "3D shape characterization and image-based DEM simulation of the lunar soil simulant FJS-1", J Aerospace Eng., 22(1), 15-23. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0893-1321(2009)22:1(15)
  52. Mindlin, R.D. and Deresiewicz, H. (1953), "Elastic spheres in contact under varying oblique force", J. Appl. Mech, 20, 327-344.
  53. Nezami, E.G., Hashash, Y.M.A., Zhao, D. and Ghaboussi, J. (2004), "A fast contact detection algorithm for 3-D discrete element method", Comput. Geotech., 31, 575-587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2004.08.002
  54. Nezami, E.G., Hashash, Y.M.A., Zhao, D. and Ghaboussi, J. (2006), "Shortest link method for contact detection in discrete element method", Int. J. Numer. Anal. Meth. Geomech., 30, 783-801. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.500
  55. Ngo, N.T., Indraratna, B. and Rujikiatkamjorn, C. (2014) "DEM simulation of the behaviour of geogrid stabilised ballast fouled with coal", Comput Geotech., 55, 224-231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2013.09.008
  56. Nguyen, V., Duhamel, D. and Nedjar, B. (2003), "A continuum model for granular materials taking into account the no-tension effect", Mech. Mater., 35, 955-967. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-6636(02)00326-5
  57. Ouhbi N., Voivret, C., Perrin, G. and Roux J. (2016), "Railway ballast: Grain shape characterization to study its influence on the mechanical behaviour", Procedia Eng., 143, 1120-1127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.06.150
  58. Podlozhnyuk, A. and Kloss, C. (2015), "A contact detection method between two convex super-quadric particles based on an interior point algorithm in the discrete element method", Proceedings of the IV International Conference on Particle-Based Methods, Barcelona, Spain.
  59. Prescott, D. and Andrews, J. (2013), "A track ballast maintenance and inspection model for a rail network", Proc IMechE Part O: J Risk and Reliability, 227(3), 251-266
  60. Ricci, L., Nguyen, V., Sab, K., Duhamel, D. and Schmitt, L. (2005), "Dynamic behaviour of ballasted railway tracks: A discrete/continuous approach", Comput. Struct., 83, 2282-2292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2005.03.035
  61. Remennikov, A.M. and Kaewunruen, S. (2008), "A review of loading conditions for railway track structures due to train and track vertical interaction", Struct. Control. Health Monit., 15(2), 207-234. https://doi.org/10.1002/stc.227
  62. Remennikov, A.M. and Kaewunruen, S. (2014), "Experimental load rating of aged railway concrete sleepers", Eng. Struct., 76(10), 147-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.06.032
  63. Sasaoka, C.D. and Davis, D. (2005), "Implementing track transition solutions for heavy axle load service", Proceedings of the AREMA 2005 Annual Conference, Chicago, IL,
  64. Sato, Y. (1995), "Japanese studies on deterioration of ballasted track", Vehicle Syst. Dynam., 24(1), 197-208.
  65. Selig, E.T. and Alva-Hurtado, J.E. (1982), "Predicting effects of repeated wheel loading on track settlement", Proceedings of the 2nd Int. Heavy Haul Railway Conf., Colorado Springs, USA.
  66. Selig, E.T. and Waters, J.M. (1994), Track Geotechnology and Substructure Management, Thomas Telford Publishing, UK.
  67. Setsobhonkul, S., Kaewunruen, S. and Sussman, J.M. (2017), "Lifecycle assessments of railway bridge transitions exposed to extreme climate events", Front. Built Environ., 3:35. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2017.00035
  68. Sharp, R.W. and Booker, J.R. (1984), "Shakedown of pavement under moving surface loads", J. Transportation Eng., 110(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-947X(1984)110:1(1)
  69. Shenton, M. (1985), "Ballast deformation and track deterioration", Track technology, 253-265.
  70. Smilauer, V., Catalano, E., Chareyre, B., Dorofenko, S., Duriez, J., Gladky, Kozicki, J., Modenese, C., Scholtes, L., Sibille, L., Stransky, J. and Thoeni, K. (2010), Yade Documentation (1st Ed.), The Yade Project. http://yade-dem.org/doc/.
  71. Suiker, A.S.J. and Borst, R. (2003), "A numerical model for the cyclic deterioration of railway tracks", Int. J. Numer. Meth. Eng., 57(4), 441-470. https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.683
  72. Standards Australia (1996), Aggregates and rock for engineering purposes. Standards Association of Australia; Australia.
  73. Thakur, P.K., Indraratna, B. and Vinod, J.S. (2009), "DEM simulation of effect of confining pressure on ballast behaviour", Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.
  74. Thakur, P.K., Vinod, J.S. and Indraratna, B. (2010), "Effect of particle breakage on cyclic densification of ballast: a DEM approach", Proceedings of the 9th World Congress on Computational Mechanics and 4th Asian Pacific Congress on Computational Mechanics, 19-23 Jul, 2010, Sydney, Australia, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 10(1), 1-7.
  75. Tutumluer, E. (1995), "Prediction Behavior of Flexible Pavements with Granular Bases", Ph.D. Dissertation, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA.
  76. Tutumluer, E., Huang H., Hashash, Y.M.A. and Ghaboussi, J. (2006), "Aggregate Shape Effects on Ballast Tamping and Railroad Track Lateral Stability", Proceedings of the AREMA Conference, Louisville, KY, USA.
  77. Tutumluer, E., Huang, H., Hashash, Y.M.A. and Ghaboussi, J. (2007), "Discrete element modeling of railroad ballast settlement", Proceedings of the AREMA Conference, Chicago, IL, USA
  78. Tutumluer, E., Huang, H., Hashash, Y.M.A. and Ghaboussi, J. (2008), "Contact stiffness affecting discrete element modeling of unbound aggregate granular assemblies", Proceedings of the 7th UNBAR Conference, Nottingham, UK.
  79. Wang, Z., Ruiken, A., Jacobs, F. and Ziegler, M. (2014), "A new suggestion for determining 2D porosities in DEM", Geomech. Eng., 7(6), 665-678. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2014.7.6.665
  80. Xu, W.J., Li, C.Q. and Zhang, H.Y. (2015), "DEM analyses of the mechanical behavior of soil and soil-rock mixture via the 3D direct shear test", Geomech. Eng., 9(6), 815-827. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2015.9.6.815
  81. Yan, Y., Zhao, J. and Ji, S. (2015), "Discrete element analysis of breakage of irregularly shaped railway ballast", Geomech. Geoeng., 10(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2014.933891
  82. Zhou, L., Chu, X., Zhang, X. and Xu, Y. (2016) "Numerical investigations on breakage behaviour of granular materials under triaxial stresses", Geomech. Eng., 11(5), 639-655. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2016.11.5.639

Cited by

  1. The Total Track Inspection vol.4, pp.None, 2017, https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2018.00084
  2. Economics of Track Resilience vol.471, pp.None, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/471/6/062040
  3. Evaluation of lateral stability of railway tracks due to ballast degradation vol.278, pp.None, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122342