Beams on elastic foundations – A review of railway applications and solutions. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lamprea-Pineda, Angie C.; Connolly, David P.; Hussein, Mohammed F.M.
• Is Part Of: Transportation geotechnics. Volume 33(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Beam on elastic foundation -- Railway noise generation -- Railway track dynamics -- Railroad ground-borne vibration -- Periodic railway track modelling; Engineering geology -- Periodicals; Soil mechanics -- Periodicals; Rock mechanics -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Periodicals; 624.15105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trgeo.2021.100696
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-3912

Abstract

Highlights: Beam on elastic foundation theory is reviewed for railway engineering applications. Limitations of continuously supported models are explored. Multi-layer and discretely supported models improve track dynamic response. Computationally efficient periodic and semi-periodic solutions reviewed. Considerations given for coupling tracks with vehicle and subgrade models. Abstract: Beam on elastic foundation theory is widely employed when studying railway track behaviour, for applications such as track dynamics, and noise and vibration. At a basic level, the use of a single continuous beam resting on a springs-in-series support is straightforward to implement and computationally efficient. However, it can also be extended to simulate the multi-layered and periodic nature of railway tracks, which typically comprise a variety of components. Further, these track models can also be coupled with both vehicle and subgrade models. Therefore, this paper presents a state-of-the-art technical review of beam on elastic foundation theory, including the exploration of recent advancements in the field. Firstly, a variety of modelling strategies and solution methods employed for the computation of track behaviour are reviewed. These include periodic and semi-periodic modelling approaches. Considerations for extending beam on elastic foundation approaches to include train-track interaction and track-ground interaction are then provided. Finally, using the aforementioned theory, benchmark solutions for three common problem types are given: railway noise, railway track dynamics and railway ground-borne vibration.