Investigation of The Effect of Elastic Modulus of Material for Ballasted Railway Double Railway Track Using Numerical Analysis

International Journal of Civil Engineering
© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal
Volume 12 Issue 12
Year of Publication : 2025
Authors : Nirmal Chandra Roy, Md. Abu Sayeed
pdf
How to Cite?

Nirmal Chandra Roy, Md. Abu Sayeed, "Investigation of The Effect of Elastic Modulus of Material for Ballasted Railway Double Railway Track Using Numerical Analysis," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 12, pp. 143-150, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I12P113

Abstract:

Railways have been the preferred means of public transit as highway traffic congestion has increased, leading to a global demand for quicker and heavier trains. However, single-track railway systems are usually unable to meet these growing demands. Double-track railroad systems were constructed in order to get around this problem. Significant vibrations are caused in the railway track system by high-speed trains and large axle loads, which increases the danger of track damage and catastrophe. The behavior of ballasted double-track foundations at various speeds must be thoroughly understood in order to improve the safety and operational dependability of high-speed trains. This study performs a Three-Dimensional (3D) numerical simulation to assess the dynamic response of ballasted double-track railway systems under high-speed train loads. Key design parameters influencing track performance are also examined. The results are analyzed, visualized, and their practical implications for high-speed railway design and maintenance are discussed. Finally, regression analysis revealed that a strong linear relationship is found between the mean displacement and modulus of elasticity of materials (R- 0.962), and between distance and displacement (R- 0.869 to 0.974) for three different moduli of elasticity.

Keywords:

Ballasted double railway track, Displacement, High-Speed Trains, Numerical Modelling, Traffic congestion.

References:

[1] INRIX 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard, INRIX, 2023. [Online]: Available: https://inrix.com/press-releases/2023-global-traffic-scorecard-uk/
[2] Shashank Bharadwaj et al., “Impact of Congestion on Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Road Transport in Mumbai Metropolitan Region,” Transportation Research Procedia, vol. 25, pp. 3538-3551, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Amir M. Kaynia, Christian Madshus, and Peter Zackrisson, “Ground Vibration from High-Speed Trains: Prediction and Countermeasure,” Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, vol. 126, no. 6, pp. 531-537, 2000.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Ernest T. Selig, and John M. Waters, Track Geotechnology and Substructure Management, Emerald Publishing Limited, 1994.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Akira Aikawa, “Determination of Dynamic Ballast Characteristics under Transient Impact Loading,” Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 17-34, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Zhongyi Liu, Bin Feng, and Erol Tutumluer, “Effect of Ballast Degradation on Track Dynamic Behavior using Discrete Element Modeling,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, vol. 2676, no. 8, pp. 452-462, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Yahia Alabbasi, and Mohammed Hussein, “Geomechanical Modelling of Railroad Ballast: A Review,” Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 815-839, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Peyman Aela et al., “Influence of Ballast Bulk Density and Loading Conditions on Lateral Resistance of Concrete Sleeper Components,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, vol. 237, no. 10, pp. 1284-1293, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Guixian Liu et al., “Railway Ballast Fouling, Inspection, and Solutions-A Review,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, vol. 237, no. 8, pp. 969-982, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Mohammed A. Alzhrani, Joseph W. Palese, and Allan M. Zarembski, “Assessing the Impact of Sand-Induced Ballast Fouling on Track Stiffness and Settlement,” Geotechnics, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1-30, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Buddhima Indraratna et al., “Prediction of Resilient Modulus of Ballast under Cyclic Loading using Machine Learning Techniques,” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Szabolcs Fischer, “Investigation of the Settlement Behavior of Ballasted Railway Tracks Due to Dynamic Loading,” Spectrum of Mechanical Engineering and Operational Research, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 24-46, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Soumyaranjan Mishra et al., “Use of Recycled Tyre Segments to Enhance the Stability of Ballasted Track by Increased Confinement,” Canadian Geotechnical Journal, vol. 61, no. 7, pp. 1385-1398, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] G. Castro et al., “Evaluating Environmental Effects on the Structural Behavior of the Railroad Track Subgrade Considering Different Sub-Ballast Design Solutions,” Transportation Geotechnics, vol. 34, pp. 1-17, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] Iram Lamiya Hoque et al., “Response Analysis of a Ballasted Rail Track Constructed on Soft Soil by 3D Modeling,” Advances in Civil Engineering, vol. 2023, no. 1, pp. 1-18, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Weile Qiang et al., “The Use of Recycled Rubber in Ballasted Railway Tracks: A Review,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 420, pp. 1-43, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Piyush Punetha, and Sanjay Nimbalkar, “Performance Improvement of Ballasted Railway Tracks for High-Speed Rail Operations,” Challenges and Innovations in Geomechanics, Turin, Italy, pp. 841-849, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Meysam Banimahd et al., “Three-Dimensional Modelling of High-Speed Ballasted Railway Tracks,” Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Transport, vol. 166, no. 2, pp. 133-123, 113-123, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] A. El Kacimi et al., “Time Domain 3D Finite Element Modelling of Train-Induced Vibration at High Speed,” Computers & Structures, vol. 118, pp. 66-73, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Lars Hall, “Simulations and Analysis of Train Induced Ground Vibrations in Finite Element Models,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 403-413, 2003.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Lars Andersen, and Søren R.K. Nielsen, “Boundary Element Analysis of the Steady-State Response of an Elastic Half-Space to a Moving Force on its Surface,” Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 23-38, 2003.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] M. Adam, G. Pflanz, and G. Schmid, “Two- and Three-Dimensional Modelling of Half-Space and Train-Track Embankment under Dynamic Loading,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, vol. 19, no. 8, pp. 559-573, 2000.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Xuecheng Bian et al., “Numerical Analysis of Soil Vibrations Due to Trains Moving at Critical Speed,” Acta Geotechnica, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 281-294, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] P. Galvín, A. Romero, and J. Domínguez, “Fully Three-Dimensional Analysis of High-Speed Train-Track-Soil-Structure Dynamic Interaction,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, vol. 329, no. 24, pp. 5147-5163, 2010.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[25] J. O'Brien, and D.C. Rizos, “A 3D BEM-FEM Methodology for Simulation of High-Speed Train Induced Vibrations,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 289-301, 2005.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] Meletetsega Gashaw, and Tadahiro Kishida, “Modelling Cyclic Compression of Ballast Aggregates using Boundary Surface Model,” Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 1-14, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] W.L. Lim, and G.R. McDowell, “Discrete Element Modelling of Railway Ballast,” Granular Matter, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 19-29, 2005.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[28] Samuel L. Sogin et al., “Comparison of Capacity of Single- and Double-Track Rail Lines,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, vol. 2374, no. 1, pp. 111-118, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] Samuel L. Sogin et al., “Analyzing the Transition from Single- to Double-Track Railway Lines with Nonlinear Regression Analysis,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, vol. 230, no. 8, pp. 1877-1889, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[30] Manual of GTS-NX 2013 v1.2: New Experience of Geotechnical Analysis System, MIDAS Company Limited, South Korea, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3993889/MIDAS%20-%20Documents/GTS_NX_FABE.pdf
[31] G. Degrande, and L. Schillemans, “Free Field Vibrations during the Passage of a Thalys High-Speed Train at Variable Speed,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, vol. 247, no. 1, pp. 131-144, 2001.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[32] Nirmal Chandra Roy, and Md. Abu Sayeed, “Investigation into the Behavior of Ballasted Railway Track Foundations through Numerical Analysis,” Journal of Science and Transport Technology, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 61-70, 2025. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]