A Compact Review – Mathematical Modeling of Rail Track

Abstract

The structure of the Railway Track consists of (i) Super-Structure - the Rail, Fastening System and Sleepers; (ii) Sub-Structure - Non-Cohesive Granular Materials viz Stone Ballast. The Railway Track is a Continuous Beam Structure that is supported on the Elastic Foundation having Sleepers, Rail Pad, Liners and Elastic Clips tied to the Rail.

This review paper describes the efforts done by researchers to identify the Mathematical Behavior of the Rail or the Rail Track. It gives an overview of the Static and Dynamic Stiffness of the Track and provides the global picture on the Analytical and Numerical Track Modeling. The Zimmermann Model with Beam on Elastic Foundation (BOEF) is most widely used in the one parameter, linear models. The Pasternak foundation is popular among the complex mathematical formulations that uses moving mass or moving loads. The dynamic behavior of tracks with multi-parameter models, non-linear behavior of the foundation is employed and studied by various researchers, one can choose it based on the different boundary conditions.