ANALYSIS OF TRACK SUPPORT AND DETERMINATION OF TRACK MODULUS

A design methodology that uses an approach similar to that outlined in the American Railway Engineering Association Manual for Railway Engineering for calculating the stresses below crossties of conventional railway tracks is presented. There is discussion of the practical effects of track modulus variability and its possible optimization from the point of view of both static and dynamic loading with particular reference to ballast and subgrade stress levels. These stresses are then used to estimate track deformation. Track deformation may then be used to calculate a conventional track modulus. With such a technique it is possible to calculate the effects of ballast depth variability and compressibility of crossties on track response.