Preliminary numerical analysis of selected phenomena occurring in a rail fastening system

The results of numerical analysis of selected phenomena occurring in a rail fastening system were presented in the paper. The study is focused on assessment of the state of displacement and stresses in the rail pad subjected to a moving load. Two finite element models of the considered system were developed. The first one included elementary track segment corresponding to one sleeper. The second FE model consisted of several elementary segments. The number of the track segments was determined independently on the basis of dynamic analysis carried out using LS-DYNA computer code. Essential FE analyses were performed using MSC.Marc/Mentat software. FE model of the elementary segment included 600 mm length rail and a two-side shaped rail pad. The Mooney - Rivlin material model was applied for the polyurethane rail pad. The fastening systems were modelled using spring elements. The vertical and longitudinal spring elements were also applied for the ballast modelling. A case of moving load caused by single vertical force - one axle - was considered in the study. Methodology of moving load simulation in the MSC.Marc software was proposed. The obtained results allowed assessing the total deflection of the rail pad, the state of stress, the load distribution on respective sleepers. Moreover, they gave information about the behaviour of the rail pad under moving load in context of static test described in respective standards.