Quantification of ballasted track-bridge interaction behavior due to the temperature variation through field measurements

Abstract Additional axial stresses in the rail are developed due to the influence of the track-bridge interaction (TBI) when the CWR (Continuous Welded Rail) track is used in the railway bridge. This is the main reason of the length limitation of railway bridge and an increase in the construction cost. Also, the track-bridge interaction analysis should be performed in order to examine the influence of track-bridge interaction. Several standards specifies analysis methods and limit values for TBI to guarantee the safety design of railway track. However, the interaction effects are not fully understood yet due to the uncertainty of ballasted track. Thus, the interaction effects should be investigated and verified based on the field test results. In this paper, the measurement and analysis method for the track-bridge interaction was proposed. For this, the measurement system was developed considering the parameters causing the track-bridge interaction, and the track-bridge interaction response caused by temperature change was measured and analyzed. From the results, the track-bridge interaction phenomenon can be fully analyzed and quantified through the measurement system presented in this study. In addition, finite element analysis was conducted and the results were compared with the measured track-bridge interaction response.