Design of ballasted railway track foundations using numerical modelling with special reference to high speed trains

Abstract

A new design method for ballasted railway track foundations was developed based on improved empirical models and sophisticated three-dimensional finite element numerical analyses. The method was developed in the form of simple design charts for use by practitioners. The results obtained from the method were found to be in an excellent agreement with the field observations, and the method is expected to provide a significant contribution to the current railway tack design code of practice.