Shushu Liu

Comparison of Laboratory Testing Using SmartRock and Discrete Element Modeling of Ballast Particle Movement

AbstractTrack performance is largely dependent on ballast performance. Unfavorable ballast conditions cause track geometry roughness and can contribute to increased rates of damage and deterioration to the rail, tie, and fastening components. Recent discrete element modeling (DEM) studies demonstrated a strong relationship between individual ballast particle movement and overall ballast performance. This paper presents a laboratory and numerical study on ballast particle movement under cyclic loading. In the laboratory test, a wireless device called SmartRock was embedded in a ballast box to monitor individual ballast particle movement beneath a crosstie under cyclic loading. In the numerical study, an image-aided DEM approach was utilized to generate DEM particles with a realistic shape of ballast particles and simulate the ballast box test. The laboratory test results recorded by the SmartRock and DEM simulations results were compared. Good agreement was observed between the simulated and recorded parti...

Laboratory Development and Testing of “SmartRock” for Railroad Ballast Using Discrete Element Modeling

Ballast aggregate settlement is generally a result of consolidation or rearrangment of ballast particles in the area underneath crossties. Excessive settlement negatively impacts track performance, resulting in increased risk of train derailment. The purpose of this paper is to compare two methods to evaluate ballast aggregate settlement with repeated loading in railroad: discrete element modeling and laboratory tests using “SmartRock”.In this study, ballast aggregates are considered as uniformly graded, angular shaped with crushed faces. For the discrete element modeling, digital imaging techniques are utilized to create the ballast aggregates. Aggregate settlement in railroad ballast and the effect of aggregate shape on the dynamic response of ballast are evaluated through the discrete element simulations. A wireless device, “SmartRock” is developed to study the relationship between individual ballast particle behavior and overall ballast performance. It has a shell of a typical ballast particle shape with force cells attached on the surface and embedded with a tri-axial gyroscope, a tri-axial accelerometer, and a tri-axial magnetometer. The device can move under train traffic like a real ballast particle and record inter-particle contact forces and particle motion in real time. For the laboratory tests, a model-scale track section is constructed and subjected to repeated loading similar to train traffic. The developed “SmartRock” are embedded below rail seats and in the track shoulders.The laboratory data using “SmartRock” can be compared with results from the discrete element modeling in the future. These comparisons will validate the discrete element modeling procedure as a means to analyze railroad ballast aggregate behavior and the potential of “SmartRock” in railroad applications.Copyright

The Movement of Railroad Ties: Simulation and Field Validation

The railroad tie is an important component in track structure which provides lateral resistance, continuous support for rail and transfers the train load to ballast. The movement of the tie subject to train loading is usually considered as a vertical motion. However, it is believed that the real-world tie movement is not only translational but rotational due to moving load. In order to investigate the real movement of railroad ties, a train-track interaction computer program was used. The computer program includes a vehicle dynamics model and 3-D Finite Element (FE) track model. The wheel-rail contact forces were obtained from the vehicle dynamics model, and then input to FE track model to simulate the tie movement. Furthermore, the field validation was conducted at Northeast Corridor (NEC) in United States. The measuring units were mounted on the edge of ties to record the angle and acceleration change of the tie in three orthogonal directions. The data analysis showed that the field-measured translational and rotational movement of ties have good agreement with the simulation results. It is concluded that the tie movement is not only up-and-down motion under moving train load, but also comprises rotation and lateral movements.© 2016 ASME

Study on Ballast Particle Movement at Different Locations Beneath Crosstie Using “SmartRock”

Ballast compaction and particle rearrangement cause ballast to rotate and move vertically and horizontally. Ballast movement, including translation and rotation, has a significant effect on track performance. Large movement of ballast particles leads to track geometry roughness, e.g., hanging ties, and thus increases potential of damage and deterioration to rails, ties and fastening components. This study investigated ballast particle movement at different locations beneath a crosstie. In the paper, a wireless device — “SmartRock” was utilized to monitor ballast movement under cyclic loading in laboratory tests. The SmartRock has a shape of a realistic ballast particle. Inside the SmartRock was imbedded a tri-axial accelerometer, tri-axial gyroscope, and tri-axial magnetometer with 9 degrees of freedom so that particle translation, rotation and orientation can be interpreted, relatively. The real-time measurements were recorded by the SmartRock and then sent to a computer via Bluetooth. In the laboratory tests, a ballast box was constructed. In the ballast box, a half section of a typical railroad track was constructed. Five hundred cyclic load repetitions were applied on the top of the rail. Translational and rotational accelerations of the particle were recorded by the “SmartRock”. Three ballast box tests were conducted. Two SmartRocks were placed beneath the middle of tie and the edge of tie, respectively but at different depths during each test — right under the tie, 12 cm beneath the tie and 25 cm beneath the tie. The results indicated that (1) ballast particles had translational as well as rotational modes under cyclic loading; (2) ballast particles had rotation together with horizontal translation; (3) particle rotation were higher beneath the edge of tie than those beneath the middle of tie; (4) Ballast movement were significantly reduced with depth. The paper also further confirmed that the SmartRock was capable of recording real-time translational and rotational accelerations, which would not have altered the motions of surrounding ballast particles due to its realistic shape of a particle, hence, provided a new means to monitor ballast particle movement in railroad engineering.Copyright

Comparative Evaluation of Particle Movement in a Ballast Track Structure Stabilized with Biaxial and Multiaxial Geogrids

Geogrids usually are used in railroad track substructure for ballast reinforcement and stabilization over a weak subgrade. Different aperture shapes affect the confining effect on ballast particles due to the unique interlocking mechanism. To understand the effect of aperture shape on ballast particle movement and the associated interlocking mechanism, three types of ballast box tests were conducted: one without geogrid as a control, one with a layer of biaxial geogrid, and one with a layer of multiaxial geogrid. If a geogrid was included, the geogrid was placed 30 cm below the top of the ballast. A half-section of a railroad track structure consisting of two crossties, a rail, ballast, subballast, and subgrade was constructed in a ballast box. Four wireless devices known as SmartRocks were embedded under the rail seat and under the shoulder at the ballast–subballast and subballast–subgrade interfaces. Results indicate that the multiaxial geogrid significantly decreased accumulated vertical displacement in the ballast surface under cyclic loading and has the best potential for confining particle movement. The advantages of having a layer of multiaxial geogrid, including reducing particle movement, as well as decreasing vertical displacement of the ballast surface, are discussed.