Influence of Ballast Track on Vertical Response
of Multi-span Simply-Supported Bridges Under
Railway Traffic
M. D. Martínez-Rodrigo 1(B) , A. Romero 2 , E. Moliner 1 , J. Chordà 1 , and P. Galvín 2
1 Mechanical Engineering and Construction Department, Universitat Jaume I,
12071 Castellón, Spain
mrodrigo@uji.es
2 Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
Abstract. In this contribution the vertical response of multi-span single-track
simply-supported railway bridges is addressed. The main objective is to assess the
influence of the track components and its continuity on the bridge acceleration
response under the passage of railway convoys. To this end, a preliminary bidimensional numerical model is presented including a discrete model for the track.
The model is calibrated with the proof load test results performed on the structure in the past. A sensitivity analysis is performed showing the effect the track
components stiffness and damping considered under resonant and non-resonant
conditions. Finally, a recent experimental campaign performed by the authors on
an existing bridge is presented and the structural response under two trains is compared with numerical predictions. Preliminary conclusions regarding the effect of
the track components and the ballast coupling between adjacent decks are finally
extracted.
Keywords: Railway bridges · Ballast track · Experimental measurements ·
Vertical acceleration · Bridge dynamics · Resonance
1 Introduction
Railway induced vibrations are a matter of concern for engineers and authorities in
recent societies. In many countries, nowadays High-Speed services allow intense mobility between distant highly populated urban areas. The crescent density of traffic and the
train operational speeds require, nonetheless, an outstanding response of railway infrastructures in order to ensure traffic safety, passenger comfort and adequate environmental
conditions in the surrounding area.
Comprising an important proportion of the railway infrastructure, railway bridges
have received considerable attention in the last years and, to ensure traffic safety and
passenger comfort, their design must accomplish strict requirements [1]. In particular,
short-to-medium span simply-supported (SS) bridges with ballasted tracks are prone to
experience high deck vertical accelerations which may lead to ballast deconsolidation,
rail misalignment and derived problems [2–12]. In this context, a deep understanding
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
S. N. Atluri and I. Vušanovi´ c (Eds.): ICCES 2020, MMS 97, pp. 1–13, 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64690-5_1
of Multi-span Simply-Supported Bridges Under
Railway Traffic
M. D. Martínez-Rodrigo 1(B) , A. Romero 2 , E. Moliner 1 , J. Chordà 1 , and P. Galvín 2
1 Mechanical Engineering and Construction Department, Universitat Jaume I,
12071 Castellón, Spain
mrodrigo@uji.es
2 Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
Abstract. In this contribution the vertical response of multi-span single-track
simply-supported railway bridges is addressed. The main objective is to assess the
influence of the track components and its continuity on the bridge acceleration
response under the passage of railway convoys. To this end, a preliminary bidimensional numerical model is presented including a discrete model for the track.
The model is calibrated with the proof load test results performed on the structure in the past. A sensitivity analysis is performed showing the effect the track
components stiffness and damping considered under resonant and non-resonant
conditions. Finally, a recent experimental campaign performed by the authors on
an existing bridge is presented and the structural response under two trains is compared with numerical predictions. Preliminary conclusions regarding the effect of
the track components and the ballast coupling between adjacent decks are finally
extracted.
Keywords: Railway bridges · Ballast track · Experimental measurements ·
Vertical acceleration · Bridge dynamics · Resonance
1 Introduction
Railway induced vibrations are a matter of concern for engineers and authorities in
recent societies. In many countries, nowadays High-Speed services allow intense mobility between distant highly populated urban areas. The crescent density of traffic and the
train operational speeds require, nonetheless, an outstanding response of railway infrastructures in order to ensure traffic safety, passenger comfort and adequate environmental
conditions in the surrounding area.
Comprising an important proportion of the railway infrastructure, railway bridges
have received considerable attention in the last years and, to ensure traffic safety and
passenger comfort, their design must accomplish strict requirements [1]. In particular,
short-to-medium span simply-supported (SS) bridges with ballasted tracks are prone to
experience high deck vertical accelerations which may lead to ballast deconsolidation,
rail misalignment and derived problems [2–12]. In this context, a deep understanding
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
S. N. Atluri and I. Vušanovi´ c (Eds.): ICCES 2020, MMS 97, pp. 1–13, 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64690-5_1