Numerical study of anomaly detection under rail track using a time-variant moving train load

Abstract

The underlying ground state of a railway plays a significant role in maintaining the integrity of the overlying concrete slab and ultimately supporting the train load. While effective nondestructive tests have been used to evaluate the rail track system, they can only be performed during non-operating time due to the stress wave generated by active sources. In this study, finite element numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the feasibility of detecting unfavorable substructure conditions by using a moving train load. First, a train load module is developed by converting the train load into time-variant equivalent forces. The moving forces based on the shape functions are applied at the nodes. A parametric study that takes into account the bonding state and the train class is then performed. All the synthetic signals obtained from numerical simulations are analyzed at the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier transform (FFT) and at the time-frequency domain using a Short-Time Fourier transform (STFT). The presence of a void condition amplifies the acceleration amplitude and the vibration response. This study confirms the feasibility of using a moving train load to systematically evaluate a rail track system.