Calibration and experimental validation of a dynamic model of the train-track system at a culvert transition zone

This article describes the calibration and experimental validation of the dynamic model of the train-track system at a culvert transition zone. The dynamic analyses were performed explicitly using a 3D model in LS-DYNA software and implicitly using a 2D model on ANSYS software. In both programmes, contact algorithms were employed to take the wheel-rail interaction into account. The parameters for the 3D model were calibrated based on the track receptance test. The 3D model was used for the static and dynamic calibration of the 2D model. The damping adopted in the 2D model was significantly amplified to compensate for the radiation damping in the transverse direction of the track, which cannot be incorporated in a plane model. An excellent agreement was obtained between the vertical displacements of the rail, the vertical accelerations of the sleepers and the wheel-rail interaction forces computed by the two models. The computation time of the 2D model is about 25 times lower than the computation time of the 3D model. The 2D model was used to simulate the passage of the Alfa Pendular train at 220km/h at the transition zone and a very good match between measured and computed responses has been obtained.