Laboratory development and testing of "smartRock" for railroad ballast using discrete element modeling

Shushu Liu, Hai Huang, Tong Qiu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ballast aggregate settlement is generally a result of consolidation or rearrangment of ballast particles in the area underneath crossties. Excessive settlement negatively impacts track performance, resulting in increased risk of train derailment. The purpose of this paper is to compare two methods to evaluate ballast aggregate settlement with repeated loading in railroad: discrete element modeling and laboratory tests using "SmartRock". In this study, ballast aggregates are considered as uniformly graded, angular shaped with crushed faces. For the discrete element modeling, digital imaging techniques are utilized to create the ballast aggregates. Aggregate settlement in railroad ballast and the effect of aggregate shape on the dynamic response of ballast are evaluated through the discrete element simulations. A wireless device, "SmartRock" is developed to study the relationship between individual ballast particle behavior and overall ballast performance. It has a shell of a typical ballast particle shape with force cells attached on the surface and embedded with a tri-axial gyroscope, a tri-axial accelerometer, and a tri-axial magnetometer. The device can move under train traffic like a real ballast particle and record inter-particle contact forces and particle motion in real time. For the laboratory tests, a model-scale track section is constructed and subjected to repeated loading similar to train traffic. The developed "SmartRock" are embedded below rail seats and in the track shoulders. The laboratory data using "SmartRock" can be compared with results from the discrete element modeling in the future. These comparisons will validate the discrete element modeling procedure as a means to analyze railroad ballast aggregate behavior and the potential of "SmartRock" in railroad applications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2015 Joint Rail Conference, JRC 2015
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
ISBN (Electronic)9780791856451
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
EventASME/ASCE/IEEE 2015 Joint Rail Conference, JRC 2015 - San Jose, United States
Duration: Mar 23 2015Mar 26 2015

Publication series

Name2015 Joint Rail Conference, JRC 2015

Other

OtherASME/ASCE/IEEE 2015 Joint Rail Conference, JRC 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Jose
Period3/23/153/26/15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Transportation
  • Mechanical Engineering

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