Keywords: dynamic model validation, experimental measurements, high-speed track vibrations.

Some new high-speed lines under construction are designed to enable maximum speeds of 350 km/h for commercial operation. The consequences of travelling at such high speeds may present some concern in terms of track geometry deterioration, and thus in track maintenance costs, due to the known increase in track vibration levels. In fact, it is known that at very high speeds, ballast vibrations lead to important settlements and, consequently, to ballast deterioration and changes in track geometric quality.

In order to fulfil this purpose, reaching a dynamic numerical model well validated with real experimental measurements is essential to understand the dynamical behaviour of the track for very high speeds (>300 km/h) and to enable the prediction of vibrations induced in the track and hence evaluate track deterioration.

This paper focuses on this particular concern by showing the validation process of a global dynamic finite elements model that fully takes into consideration dynamic interaction between the train and track with hundreds of meters long. Static validations and dynamic validation within time and frequency domains are performed. For static validations, other analytical and numerical models were used. With regards to dynamic analysis, the model is validated by means of several experimental measurements made in high-speed tracks in France, Spain and Belgium. Limitations and difficulties arising from this kind of validations are exposed.

Additionally, some model simulations are carried out in order to obtain the level of vibrations reached in different types of tracks and the influence of increasing train speed is evaluated.

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £120 +P&P)