Abstract:
The reinforcement of railway track foundations, through injection of binders, without the
need of removal of track components (i.e. rails, sleepers and ballast) has many advantages compared to
traditional approaches, which normally are more complex, costly and strongly affect train operations. To
contribute to a deeper understanding of issues associated with soil-binder column reinforcements, numerical
studies were developed to analyse and compare different column layouts and to assess the effect of
such reinforcements on the dynamic train-track interaction. To that aim, two three-dimensional numerical
programs were used. Aspects of the train-track interaction and values of stresses and displacements
on the track and trackbed layers are analysed and discussed. The results suggest that in similar problems
of track platforms with uneven track stiffness, it is important to take into account the non-linear elastic
behaviour of the ballast to obtain a more accurate three-dimensional load distribution.