Deflection Results From Moving Loads on a Beam That Rests Upon an Elastic Foundation Reacting in Compression Only

The two experimental curves shown strongly verify the theoretical appropriateness of using an elastic foundation that reacts in compression only to represent railroad track support. In comparing the improvement in accuracy gained versus the complexity of calculation though, it is suggested that only with high speed trains is any marked advantage achieved with this more accurate model. At all speeds downward deflections (maximum deflections and stresses) were nearly identical in the two models, an argument against using a newer foundation model.