Effect of cyclic load amplitude on the evolving characteristics of accumulative deformation in subgrade bed

Abstract

To investigate the evolving characteristics of plastic deformation for the angular gravels that are used to construct subgrade bed, a laboratory model test is performed with cyclic load applying. Vertical deformation is measured in real time by displacement transducers and further modified to analyze the plastic behavior of model fillings. It can be found that vertical plastic deformation shows quite different developing patterns under the effect of different cyclic amplitudes for a given model. A power function is adopted to describe the relationship between deformation rate and loading times. By analyzing the value of the power exponent and the corresponding developing features of plastic deformation rate, model filling status can be classified into four different zones, i.e., rapid stabilization, tardy stabilization, tardy failure, and rapid failure. Such a classification reveals different developing patterns of plastic deformation and satisfies the design of subgrade bed for ballasted and unballasted railway.