Dynamic Behaviour of Railway Ballasted Track Structures in Shaking Table Tests and Seismic Resistant Performance Evaluation in Japan

Abstract

This study presents an experimental, analytical and numerical studies to elucidate the dynamic response of ballasted track structures subjected to horizontal seismic motions. First, a series of shaking table tests for one-third small-scale model ballasted tracks was performed. As the results, it was revealed that the existence of grouted layer had a serious influence on the seismic performance of ballasted track structures. Next, numerical simulations of the shaking table tests were conducted with a newly proposed analytical procedure which utilizes FE analysis considering the cumulative strain characteristics of ballast. As the results, it was revealed that as the analytical procedure could roughly estimate the residual displacement of railroad ballast after seismic motions, it was effective to evaluate the seismic performance of ballasted track structures for practical use.