Measurement on dynamic behaviour of track near rail joints and prediction of track settlement

Abstract

We measured factors relating to track dynamic behaviour, such as dynamic wheel loads and rail seat forces near a rail joint induced by running vehicles. We also proposed a track dynamic model to consider the excitation by wheels passing over discontinuous fish plate rail joints. We then compared the measured and analytical results, and found a close agreement between them. We also proposed a prediction model of ballast settlement near rail joints and calculated the effects of countermeasures against joint dips on ballast settlement.