Abstract:
Railway tracks degrade faster at transition zones to railway bridges. In modern lines, backfills with bound
and unbound granular geomaterials have been used to minimize this problem. To provide insight into the
behaviour of the train–track system and to fill the gap between numerical and experimental studies, the
authors carried out extensive field measurements. These were then used to validate a FEM model that
considers the relevant track components, earthworks and bridge; accounts for the train–track interaction
using contact elements; and is very accurate in reproducing the measurements. Results showed that the
backfill design fulfils its purpose in that it provides a stiffness transition from the embankment to
the bridge. The dynamic component of the train–track interaction remained low. The performance of
the model makes it a very useful tool to further study the railway track at critical locations, such as tran-
sition zones.
