Full-scale field experimental investigation on the interfacial shear capacity of continuous slab track structure

Abstract This paper presents the experimental observations and results of six full-scale field ballastless track structure specimens, and tested under longitudinal and transverse shear load. The tests aimed to examine the interfacial shear capacity of the continuous slab track structure and investigate the interfacial bond–slip behaviour. The results show that bond strength of the two interfaces which were on the top and bottom of mortar layer, respectively, have a large difference. Until the top interface of the mortar layer fractured, no slip displacement was observed in the bottom interface. In addition to the experimental study, a finite element model using nonlinear interface elements was employed to simulate the tests. The numerical calculated capacity agreed well with the experimental results, showing that the proposed bond–slip law is reliable. Finally, the track slab's evenness with the bond–slip effect under the dynamic load was studied.