# Dynamic Responses of Vehicle-CRTS III Slab Track System and Vehicle Running Safety Subjected to Uniform Seismic Excitation

Authors: Ping Lou; Kailun Gong; Chen Zhao; Qingyuan Xu; Robert K. Luo
Journal: Shock and Vibration
 (2019)

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## Abstract

The dynamic model for the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system is established subjected to uniform seismic excitation, and the calculation program with MATLAB is compiled and verified. The influences of track parameters, seismic intensity, and running speed of the vehicle on the dynamic responses of the system and the vehicle running safety are analyzed. The results show that (1) the track parameters have certain influence on the dynamic responses of the system, and the seismic intensity and the running speed of the vehicle have important influence on the vehicle running safety; (2) the derailment coefficient is highly sensitive to seismic intensity, and the wheel load reduction rate is also highly sensitive to the running speed of the vehicle.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Many scholars have studied the dynamic responses of the vehicle-bridge (track) system subjected to seismic excitation. Tanabe et al. [1] developed a new method for calculating the dynamic response of track results under seismic excitation. Nishimura et al. [2] specifically studied the impact of structural strength changes under rails on vehicle running safety under seismic excitation. Ling et al. [3] investigated the effects of seismic wave spectral characteristics on derailment of high-speed railway vehicles under earthquake excitation. Xiang et al. [4] transformed the structure into the ESDF system and analyzed the dynamic characteristics of the structure to vertical seismic excitation. Mylona et al. [5] investigated the dynamic response of piers on pile foundations under combined translational and rotational seismic excitation. Li et al. [6] used SVGM as input of seismic analysis and analyzed its dynamic response of long-span frame bridges. Deshan et al. [7] studied the vulnerability of bridges to major and after-shock excitations. Guo et al. [8] independently developed the joint simulation program and analyzed the safety of bridge driving under the influence of earthquake. Du et al. [9] analyzed the dynamic response of the vehicle-bridge system with nonuniform seismic excitation based on the finite element method. Zhang et al. [10] calculated the dynamic response of a vehicle-bridge system under multisupported seismic excitation. Chen [11] studied dynamic responses of the high-speed railway simply supported girder bridge and CRTS II slab track under earthquake action. Shaban et al. [12] evaluated the effects of vehicles on the seismic response of bridges by applying five different seismic excitation tests. Paraskeva et al. [13] researched the dynamic response of a vehicle-bridge interacting system under vertical earthquake excitation.The CRTS III slab track is a new type of track structure with independent intellectual property right in China. The main difference between CRTS III slab track and the other two types of slab track, i.e., CRTS I slab track, CRTS II slab track lies in the use of self-compacting concrete between slab and base rather than cement asphalt mortar. The main mechanical characteristic of CRTS III slab track is that the self-compacting concrete is bonded with the slab to form a composite slab structure, which bears the train load together. The CRTS III slab track has been widely used in passenger dedicated railways and most of the passenger dedicated railway lines cross the seismic zone [14]. Once an earthquake occurs, it will cause immeasurable damage to track structures. However, less research has been done on the dynamic responses of the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system subjected to seismic excitation. Therefore, it is urgent to study the influences of CRTS III slab track parameters, seismic intensity, and running speed of the vehicle on the dynamic responses of the system across seismic fault zone and to reduce the damage of track and ensure the vehicle running safety.


## 2. Dynamic Model for Vehicle-CRTS III Slab Track System during Seismic Excitation

### 2.1. Vehicle Model

The vehicle is modeled as a mass-spring-damper system consisting of a car body, two bogie frames, four wheelsets, and two-stage suspensions. The car body, each bogie frame, and each wheelset are modeled as a rigid body, respectively. The primary suspension between each wheelset and each bogie frame and the secondary suspension between car body and each bogie frame are modeled as spring and shock absorber. The longitudinal motion of the vehicle is not considered. The number of degrees of freedom for car body and each bogie frame is 5. The vertical displacement and roll rotation for each wheelset depend on the vertical displacement of rails; the independent degrees of freedom for each wheelset become 2. Consequently, the total number of independent degrees of freedom for the vehicle is 23.


### 2.2. Model for CRTS III Slab Track

The CRTS III slab track from top to bottom consists of rail, fastener, slab, self-compacting concrete layer, isolation layer (in this paper, it is replaced by cushion layer), and base. The longitudinal motion of track is also not considered. The rail is modeled as a finite length linear elastic Euler beam, and the fastener is modeled as a spring and shock absorber. The slab and self-compacting concrete layer are equivalent to composite slab, and the composite slab and the base are modeled as many slab elements. The cushion layer and the subgrade below the base are modeled as springs and damping absorbers. The neutral plane location for the composite slab is determined by the following equation [15]:(1)h0=E1h12+2E2h1h2+E2h222E1h1+E2h2,where h0 is the height from the neutral plane location to the top of the composite slab, E1 and E2 are the elastic modulus of the slab and self-compacting concrete layer, respectively, and h1 and h2 are the thickness of the slab and self-compacting concrete layer, respectively.The bending stiffness and the equivalent modulus of elasticity of composite slab can be written as [15](2)D0=E13h03−h0−h13+E23h0−h13+h1+h2−h03,E0=D0I,where D0 and E0 are the bending stiffness and the equivalent modulus of elasticity of composite slab, respectively, and I is the moment of inertia of composite slab.The dynamic model for the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system is shown in Figure1, and the track parameters shown in Table 1 are taken from the measured data of the Cheng-guan Railway mentioned in the literature [16].Figure 1
The dynamic model for the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system. (a) Face view. (b) Side view.
(a)
(b)Table 1
The parameters of track.
Notation
Item
Value
m
r
Unit length mass of rail
60.64 kg/m
E
r
Elastic modulus of rail
2.059 × 1011 N/m2
I
r
Moment of inertia of rail
3.217 × 10−5 m4
L
rs
Space of fastener
0.65 m
K
rsz
Vertical stiffness of fastener
2.5 × 107 N/m
C
rsz
Vertical damping of fastener
2.6 × 104 N·s/m
K
rsy
Lateral stiffness of fastener
5 × 107 N/m
C
rsy
Lateral damping of fastener
1.24 × 104 N·s/m
E
s
Elastic modulus of slab
3.65 × 1010 N/m2
ρ
s
Density of slab
2500 kg/m3
E
c
Strength of self-compacting concrete layer
3.25 × 1010 N/m2
K
sdz
Surface stiffness of cushion layer
400 MPa/m
C
sdz
Surface damping of cushion layer
3.43 × 104 Pa·s/m
E
b
Elastic modulus of base
3.25 × 1010 N/m2
ρ
b
Density of base
2500 kg/m3


### 2.3. Equation of Motion for the Vehicle-CRTS III Slab Track System

The vibration equation of motion for the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system subjected to seismic excitation can be written as(3)MvMrrMssMddZ¨vZ¨rZ¨sZ¨d+CvCv−rCr−vCrrCr−sCs−rCssCs−dCd−sCddZ˙vZ˙rZ˙sZ˙d+KvKv−rKr−vKrrKr−sKs−rKssKs−dKd−sKddZvZrZsZd=FvFrFsFd,where M, C, and K denote the mass, damping, and stiffness matrices, respectively, F denotes the force vector, and the subscripts v, r, s, and d denote the vehicle, rail, composite slab, and base, respectively. In order to reduce the length of the article, the detailed expression of the equation is omitted. In the force vector, two different excitations are considered. One is the track irregularity, and the other is earthquake. China high-speed track spectrum is adopted for track irregularity. Imperial Valley-02 and San Fernando seismic records from the strong ground motion database of the western United States are used. According to the Code for Seismic Design of Railway Engineering [17], the seismic intensity of ground motion is adjusted to 0.1 g and is loaded at the lower boundary of the system with the ratio 1 : 0.65 of the lateral acceleration to vertical acceleration.Equation (3) can be solved by the step-by-step integration method, such as Newmark-β method [18] or Wilson-θ method [19], to obtain the dynamic responses of the vehicle and track.


## 2.1. Vehicle Model

The vehicle is modeled as a mass-spring-damper system consisting of a car body, two bogie frames, four wheelsets, and two-stage suspensions. The car body, each bogie frame, and each wheelset are modeled as a rigid body, respectively. The primary suspension between each wheelset and each bogie frame and the secondary suspension between car body and each bogie frame are modeled as spring and shock absorber. The longitudinal motion of the vehicle is not considered. The number of degrees of freedom for car body and each bogie frame is 5. The vertical displacement and roll rotation for each wheelset depend on the vertical displacement of rails; the independent degrees of freedom for each wheelset become 2. Consequently, the total number of independent degrees of freedom for the vehicle is 23.


## 2.2. Model for CRTS III Slab Track

The CRTS III slab track from top to bottom consists of rail, fastener, slab, self-compacting concrete layer, isolation layer (in this paper, it is replaced by cushion layer), and base. The longitudinal motion of track is also not considered. The rail is modeled as a finite length linear elastic Euler beam, and the fastener is modeled as a spring and shock absorber. The slab and self-compacting concrete layer are equivalent to composite slab, and the composite slab and the base are modeled as many slab elements. The cushion layer and the subgrade below the base are modeled as springs and damping absorbers. The neutral plane location for the composite slab is determined by the following equation [15]:(1)h0=E1h12+2E2h1h2+E2h222E1h1+E2h2,where h0 is the height from the neutral plane location to the top of the composite slab, E1 and E2 are the elastic modulus of the slab and self-compacting concrete layer, respectively, and h1 and h2 are the thickness of the slab and self-compacting concrete layer, respectively.The bending stiffness and the equivalent modulus of elasticity of composite slab can be written as [15](2)D0=E13h03−h0−h13+E23h0−h13+h1+h2−h03,E0=D0I,where D0 and E0 are the bending stiffness and the equivalent modulus of elasticity of composite slab, respectively, and I is the moment of inertia of composite slab.The dynamic model for the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system is shown in Figure1, and the track parameters shown in Table 1 are taken from the measured data of the Cheng-guan Railway mentioned in the literature [16].Figure 1
The dynamic model for the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system. (a) Face view. (b) Side view.
(a)
(b)Table 1
The parameters of track.
Notation
Item
Value
m
r
Unit length mass of rail
60.64 kg/m
E
r
Elastic modulus of rail
2.059 × 1011 N/m2
I
r
Moment of inertia of rail
3.217 × 10−5 m4
L
rs
Space of fastener
0.65 m
K
rsz
Vertical stiffness of fastener
2.5 × 107 N/m
C
rsz
Vertical damping of fastener
2.6 × 104 N·s/m
K
rsy
Lateral stiffness of fastener
5 × 107 N/m
C
rsy
Lateral damping of fastener
1.24 × 104 N·s/m
E
s
Elastic modulus of slab
3.65 × 1010 N/m2
ρ
s
Density of slab
2500 kg/m3
E
c
Strength of self-compacting concrete layer
3.25 × 1010 N/m2
K
sdz
Surface stiffness of cushion layer
400 MPa/m
C
sdz
Surface damping of cushion layer
3.43 × 104 Pa·s/m
E
b
Elastic modulus of base
3.25 × 1010 N/m2
ρ
b
Density of base
2500 kg/m3


## 2.3. Equation of Motion for the Vehicle-CRTS III Slab Track System

The vibration equation of motion for the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system subjected to seismic excitation can be written as(3)MvMrrMssMddZ¨vZ¨rZ¨sZ¨d+CvCv−rCr−vCrrCr−sCs−rCssCs−dCd−sCddZ˙vZ˙rZ˙sZ˙d+KvKv−rKr−vKrrKr−sKs−rKssKs−dKd−sKddZvZrZsZd=FvFrFsFd,where M, C, and K denote the mass, damping, and stiffness matrices, respectively, F denotes the force vector, and the subscripts v, r, s, and d denote the vehicle, rail, composite slab, and base, respectively. In order to reduce the length of the article, the detailed expression of the equation is omitted. In the force vector, two different excitations are considered. One is the track irregularity, and the other is earthquake. China high-speed track spectrum is adopted for track irregularity. Imperial Valley-02 and San Fernando seismic records from the strong ground motion database of the western United States are used. According to the Code for Seismic Design of Railway Engineering [17], the seismic intensity of ground motion is adjusted to 0.1 g and is loaded at the lower boundary of the system with the ratio 1 : 0.65 of the lateral acceleration to vertical acceleration.Equation (3) can be solved by the step-by-step integration method, such as Newmark-β method [18] or Wilson-θ method [19], to obtain the dynamic responses of the vehicle and track.


## 3. Model Verification

The vehicle runs on the track at 250 km/h. For the excitation source, only the track irregularity is considered. The time history curve of calculated wheel-rail vertical force and base vertical acceleration is shown in Figure2, and the maximum values of calculated and measured dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system are presented in Table 2. Table 2 shows that the calculated maximum values are basically the same as the measured ones. Therefore, it is helpful to illustrate the correctness of the proposed model.Figure 2
The time history curve of wheel-rail vertical force and base vertical acceleration. (a) Wheel-rail vertical force. (b) Base vertical acceleration.
(a)
(b)Table 2
The maximum values of calculated and measured dynamic responses.
Dynamic responses
Wheel-rail vertical force (kN)
Rail vertical displacement (mm)
Slab vertical displacement (mm)
Base vertical acceleration (g)
Calculation
102.5
0.80
0.08
0.23
Measurement [20]
92.5
0.84
0.10
0.2


## 4. Influence of Track Parameters on the Dynamic Response of the Vehicle-Track System under Seismic Excitation

In this section, the seismic intensity with 0.1 g of ground motion for Imperial Valley-02 seismic records, the running speed of 300 km/h, and the normal track parameters shown in Table1 are adopted. In Sections 4.1–4.3, only the single parameter is changed, and the other parameters are the same as the normal case.


### 4.1. Influence of Fastener Stiffness

The fastener stiffness plays a significant part in vibration reduction and energy transfer of track. In order to analyze the influence of fastener stiffness on the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system under seismic excitation, the values of 2.5 × 107 N/m, 4.0 × 107 N/m, 5.0 × 107 N/m, 6.0 × 107 N/m, and 7.0 × 107 N/m are adopted. The maxima of the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system with different fastener stiffnesses are plotted in Figure 3.Figure 3
The maxima of the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system with different fastener stiffnesses. (a) The vertical accelerations of composite slab and base. (b) The wheel-rail force. (c) The tensile stress of composite slab and base. (d) The vertical displacement of rail, composite slab, and base.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)As shown in Figure3(a), the maxima of the vertical accelerations of composite slab and base increase with the increase of fastener stiffness, and the increment of base is smaller than that of the composite slab. When the stiffness is between 2.5 × 107 N/m and 4.0 × 107 N/m, the acceleration increases fastest, and the stiffness is between 4.0 × 107 N/m and 7.0 × 107 N/m, the acceleration increases gradually slowed. It can be found in Figure 3(b) that the maxima of the wheel-rail vertical and lateral forces increase with the increase of fastener stiffness; however, the increment is small. The explanations are as follows. With the increase of the stiffness of fastener, the restraint between rail and composite slab increases, then the wheel-rail force increases, and the length range of rail bearing wheel load decreases. Therefore, the load acting on composite slab increases, which leads to the increase of the acceleration value of composite slab and base. From Figure 3(c), one can observe that the maxima of the tensile stress of composite slab in the lateral and longitudinal directions increase with the increase of fastener stiffness; however, the increment is small. The tensile stress of base remains basically unchanged. Figure 3(d) shows that the change is not obvious for the maxima of the vertical displacements of rail, composite slab, and base. This is because although the stiffness of fasteners increases, the vertical wheel-rail force also increases. The vertical displacement of base is larger than that of rail because of the seismic excitation.In general, the stiffness of fastener has influence on vertical accelerations of composite slab and base and the tensile stress of composite slab in the lateral and longitudinal directions but has little influence on the other dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system. Therefore, according to the influence law in the figures, it is suggested that the smaller stiffness of fasteners adopted is beneficial to the CRTS III slab track under earthquake.


### 4.2. Influence of the Modulus of Elasticity of Base

The base is the most direct structure of the system under seismic action; in order to analyze the influence of modulus of elasticity of base on the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system under seismic excitation, the values of 1.5 × 1010 N/m2, 2.2 × 1010 N/m2, 3.25 × 1010 N/m2, and 4.0 × 1010 N/m2 are used. The maxima of the dynamic responses of the system with different moduli of elasticity of base are plotted in Figure 4.Figure 4
The maxima of the dynamic responses of the system with different moduli of elasticity of base. (a) The vertical accelerations of composite slab and base. (b) The wheel-rail force. (c) The tensile stress of composite slab and base. (d) The vertical displacement of rail, composite slab, and base.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)As shown in Figure4(a), the maxima of the vertical acceleration of base decrease with the increase of the modulus of elasticity of base, but the decrement is small, and the change of the maxima of the vertical acceleration of composite slab is not obvious. It can be found in Figure 4(b) that the influence of the modulus of elasticity of base on the wheel-rail force is also not obvious. From Figure 4(c), one can observe that the maxima of the tensile stress of composite slab and base in the lateral and longitudinal directions increase with the increase of the modulus of elasticity of base. The increases of the maxima of the tensile stress in the lateral and longitudinal directions of composite slab are 31.8% and 22.4%, respectively, and those of base are 59% and 133%, respectively. It is obvious that the tensile stress of the base is more sensitive to the change of its elastic modulus. And Figure 4(d) shows that the maxima of the vertical displacement of base decrease with the increase of its elastic modulus, but the change of the rail and composite slab is very small. The explanations are as follows. The increase of the elastic modulus of base strengthens its ability to resist deformation and thus reduces its displacement and increases its stress.In general, the modulus of elasticity of base has important influence on the tensile stresses in the lateral and longitudinal directions of composite slab and base. However, it has little influence on the other dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system.


### 4.3. Influence of the Surface Stiffness of Cushion Layer

The surface stiffness of cushion layer plays a significant part in vibration reduction and energy transfer of track. The values of 200 MPa/m, 400 MPa/m, 600 MPa/m, and 1000 MPa/m are adopted to analyze the influence of surface stiffness of cushion layer on the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system under seismic excitation. The maxima of the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system with different surface stiffness of cushion layer are shown in Figure5.Figure 5
The maxima of the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system with different surface stiffnesses of cushion layer. (a) The vertical accelerations of composite slab and base. (b) The wheel-rail force. (c) The tensile stress of composite slab and base. (d) The vertical displacement of rail, composite slab, and base.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)As shown in Figure5(a), with the increase of the surface stiffness of cushion layer, the maxima of the vertical acceleration of composite slab decrease; however, the maxima of the vertical acceleration of base increase. The explanations are that the vertical accelerations of composite plate and base are caused by wheel-rail force and earthquake action, and wheel-rail force is the main force. With the increase of the surface stiffness of cushion layer, the restraint between composite slab and base increases. For the composite slab, its acceleration caused by the wheel-rail force will reduce, and its acceleration caused by the earthquake action will increase; the decrement of the former is larger than the increment of the latter. Therefore, the acceleration of composite slab will reduce. For the base, its acceleration caused by the wheel-rail force will increase, and its acceleration caused by the earthquake action will reduce; the increment of the former is larger than decrement of the latter. Therefore, the acceleration of base will increase. Both of them change fastest in the range of 400–600 MPa/m. It can be found in Figure 5(b) that the influence of the surface stiffness of cushion layer on the wheel-rail force is not obvious. From Figure 5(c), one can observe that the influences of the surface stiffness of cushion layer on the maxima of the tensile stress of base in the lateral and longitudinal directions are not obvious. But the maxima of the tensile stress of composite slab in the lateral and longitudinal directions increase with the increase of the surface stiffness of cushion layer, and they increase the fastest in the range of 400–600 MPa/m. And Figure 5(d) shows that the maxima of the vertical displacement of rail, composite slab, and base decrease with the increase of the surface stiffness of cushion layer, but their change is small.In general, the surface stiffness of cushion layer has important influence on the vertical accelerations of composite slab and base and tensile stresses in the lateral and longitudinal directions of composite slab. However, it has little influence on the other dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system.


## 4.1. Influence of Fastener Stiffness

The fastener stiffness plays a significant part in vibration reduction and energy transfer of track. In order to analyze the influence of fastener stiffness on the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system under seismic excitation, the values of 2.5 × 107 N/m, 4.0 × 107 N/m, 5.0 × 107 N/m, 6.0 × 107 N/m, and 7.0 × 107 N/m are adopted. The maxima of the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system with different fastener stiffnesses are plotted in Figure 3.Figure 3
The maxima of the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system with different fastener stiffnesses. (a) The vertical accelerations of composite slab and base. (b) The wheel-rail force. (c) The tensile stress of composite slab and base. (d) The vertical displacement of rail, composite slab, and base.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)As shown in Figure3(a), the maxima of the vertical accelerations of composite slab and base increase with the increase of fastener stiffness, and the increment of base is smaller than that of the composite slab. When the stiffness is between 2.5 × 107 N/m and 4.0 × 107 N/m, the acceleration increases fastest, and the stiffness is between 4.0 × 107 N/m and 7.0 × 107 N/m, the acceleration increases gradually slowed. It can be found in Figure 3(b) that the maxima of the wheel-rail vertical and lateral forces increase with the increase of fastener stiffness; however, the increment is small. The explanations are as follows. With the increase of the stiffness of fastener, the restraint between rail and composite slab increases, then the wheel-rail force increases, and the length range of rail bearing wheel load decreases. Therefore, the load acting on composite slab increases, which leads to the increase of the acceleration value of composite slab and base. From Figure 3(c), one can observe that the maxima of the tensile stress of composite slab in the lateral and longitudinal directions increase with the increase of fastener stiffness; however, the increment is small. The tensile stress of base remains basically unchanged. Figure 3(d) shows that the change is not obvious for the maxima of the vertical displacements of rail, composite slab, and base. This is because although the stiffness of fasteners increases, the vertical wheel-rail force also increases. The vertical displacement of base is larger than that of rail because of the seismic excitation.In general, the stiffness of fastener has influence on vertical accelerations of composite slab and base and the tensile stress of composite slab in the lateral and longitudinal directions but has little influence on the other dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system. Therefore, according to the influence law in the figures, it is suggested that the smaller stiffness of fasteners adopted is beneficial to the CRTS III slab track under earthquake.


## 4.2. Influence of the Modulus of Elasticity of Base

The base is the most direct structure of the system under seismic action; in order to analyze the influence of modulus of elasticity of base on the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system under seismic excitation, the values of 1.5 × 1010 N/m2, 2.2 × 1010 N/m2, 3.25 × 1010 N/m2, and 4.0 × 1010 N/m2 are used. The maxima of the dynamic responses of the system with different moduli of elasticity of base are plotted in Figure 4.Figure 4
The maxima of the dynamic responses of the system with different moduli of elasticity of base. (a) The vertical accelerations of composite slab and base. (b) The wheel-rail force. (c) The tensile stress of composite slab and base. (d) The vertical displacement of rail, composite slab, and base.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)As shown in Figure4(a), the maxima of the vertical acceleration of base decrease with the increase of the modulus of elasticity of base, but the decrement is small, and the change of the maxima of the vertical acceleration of composite slab is not obvious. It can be found in Figure 4(b) that the influence of the modulus of elasticity of base on the wheel-rail force is also not obvious. From Figure 4(c), one can observe that the maxima of the tensile stress of composite slab and base in the lateral and longitudinal directions increase with the increase of the modulus of elasticity of base. The increases of the maxima of the tensile stress in the lateral and longitudinal directions of composite slab are 31.8% and 22.4%, respectively, and those of base are 59% and 133%, respectively. It is obvious that the tensile stress of the base is more sensitive to the change of its elastic modulus. And Figure 4(d) shows that the maxima of the vertical displacement of base decrease with the increase of its elastic modulus, but the change of the rail and composite slab is very small. The explanations are as follows. The increase of the elastic modulus of base strengthens its ability to resist deformation and thus reduces its displacement and increases its stress.In general, the modulus of elasticity of base has important influence on the tensile stresses in the lateral and longitudinal directions of composite slab and base. However, it has little influence on the other dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system.


## 4.3. Influence of the Surface Stiffness of Cushion Layer

The surface stiffness of cushion layer plays a significant part in vibration reduction and energy transfer of track. The values of 200 MPa/m, 400 MPa/m, 600 MPa/m, and 1000 MPa/m are adopted to analyze the influence of surface stiffness of cushion layer on the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system under seismic excitation. The maxima of the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system with different surface stiffness of cushion layer are shown in Figure5.Figure 5
The maxima of the dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system with different surface stiffnesses of cushion layer. (a) The vertical accelerations of composite slab and base. (b) The wheel-rail force. (c) The tensile stress of composite slab and base. (d) The vertical displacement of rail, composite slab, and base.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)As shown in Figure5(a), with the increase of the surface stiffness of cushion layer, the maxima of the vertical acceleration of composite slab decrease; however, the maxima of the vertical acceleration of base increase. The explanations are that the vertical accelerations of composite plate and base are caused by wheel-rail force and earthquake action, and wheel-rail force is the main force. With the increase of the surface stiffness of cushion layer, the restraint between composite slab and base increases. For the composite slab, its acceleration caused by the wheel-rail force will reduce, and its acceleration caused by the earthquake action will increase; the decrement of the former is larger than the increment of the latter. Therefore, the acceleration of composite slab will reduce. For the base, its acceleration caused by the wheel-rail force will increase, and its acceleration caused by the earthquake action will reduce; the increment of the former is larger than decrement of the latter. Therefore, the acceleration of base will increase. Both of them change fastest in the range of 400–600 MPa/m. It can be found in Figure 5(b) that the influence of the surface stiffness of cushion layer on the wheel-rail force is not obvious. From Figure 5(c), one can observe that the influences of the surface stiffness of cushion layer on the maxima of the tensile stress of base in the lateral and longitudinal directions are not obvious. But the maxima of the tensile stress of composite slab in the lateral and longitudinal directions increase with the increase of the surface stiffness of cushion layer, and they increase the fastest in the range of 400–600 MPa/m. And Figure 5(d) shows that the maxima of the vertical displacement of rail, composite slab, and base decrease with the increase of the surface stiffness of cushion layer, but their change is small.In general, the surface stiffness of cushion layer has important influence on the vertical accelerations of composite slab and base and tensile stresses in the lateral and longitudinal directions of composite slab. However, it has little influence on the other dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system.


## 5. Influence of Seismic Intensity and Speed on Vehicle Running Safety

### 5.1. Influence of Seismic Intensity on Vehicle Running Safety

One of the aims of the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system under earthquake is to research the vehicle running safety. Three indices of derailment coefficient, wheel load reduction rate, and wheel-rail lateral force are used to assess the operational safety of the vehicle, and their limit values [21] are listed in Table 3.Table 3
Limit values of running safety index.
Evaluation index of vehicle safety
Wheel-rail lateral force lateral force (kN)
Derailment coefficient
Wheel load reduction rate
Limit values
80 kN
0.8
0.6Imperial Valley-02 and San Fernando ground motion records of the same site type are used for seismic excitation, and the intensity of ground motion is 0.05 g, 0.1 g, 0.15 g, 0.2 g, 0.25 g, and 0.3 g, respectively. They are normalized by the rate of lateral to vertical accelerations with 1 : 0.65. The parameters of the vehicle and track remain unchanged, and the vehicle runs at 300 km/h. The time history curve of vertical and lateral accelerations of vehicle body under different seismic intensities is plotted in Figure6, respectively, and the maxima of wheel-rail lateral force, wheel load reduction rate, and derailment coefficient are shown in Figure 7.Figure 6
The time history curve of vertical and lateral accelerations of vehicle body under different seismic intensities. (a) Vertical acceleration of vehicle body. (b) Lateral acceleration of vehicle body.
(a)
(b)Figure 7
The maxima of wheel-rail lateral force, wheel load reduction rate, and derailment coefficient under different seismic intensities. (a) Lateral force of wheel and rail. (b) Wheel load reduction rate. (c) Derailment coefficient.
(a)
(b)
(c)It can be found in Figure6 that with the increase of seismic intensity, the shape of acceleration curve does not change, but the peak value of each curve increases. And seismic intensity has a greater effect on lateral acceleration than vertical acceleration.Figure7(a) shows that the maximum of lateral force of wheel and rail increases with the increase of seismic intensity under the Imperial Valley-02 and San Fernando seismic waves. When the seismic intensity for Imperial Valley-02 wave is between 0.25 g and 0.3 g, the increment of the maximum of lateral force of wheel and rail increases sharply, reaching 42%. For the San Fernando wave with the intensity of 0.15 g–0.2 g, the increment is the largest. From Figure 7(b), one can observe that the maximum of wheel load reduction rate increases with the increase of seismic intensity under two seismic waves. For the action of Imperial Valley-02 wave, it increases approximately linearly and exceeds the limit value when the intensity is 0.3 g, but for the action of San Fernando wave, it fluctuates between 0.1 g and 0.25 g and exceeds the limit value when the intensity is 0.2 g. Figure 7(c) shows that the maximum of derailment coefficient increases with the increase of seismic intensity under two seismic waves. Before 0.1 g, the maximum of derailment coefficient under Imperial Valley-02 is larger than that of San Fernando wave, but after 0.15 g, it is larger under the San Fernando wave.In general, the increase of seismic intensity has an influence on vehicle running safety of the vehicle, and the effect of San Fernando wave is greater. With the increase of seismic intensity, derailment coefficient increases the most, followed by wheel load reduction rate, and the maximum of wheel load reduction rate exceeds the limit value; then, it seriously affects the vehicle running safety.


### 5.2. Influence of Speed on Vehicle Running Safety

The speed values of 200 km/h, 225 km/h, 250 km/h, 275 km/h, 300 km/h, 325 km/h, and 350 km/h are used to investigate the influence of the speed on vehicle running safety. The intensity with 0.1 g for Imperial Valley-02 and San Fernando seismic waves is adopted. The parameters of the vehicle and track remain unchanged. The maxima of wheel-rail lateral force, wheel load reduction rate, and derailment coefficient are plotted in Figure8.Figure 8
The maxima of wheel-rail lateral force, wheel load reduction rate, and derailment coefficient under different speeds. (a) Lateral force of wheel and rail. (b) Wheel load reduction rate. (c) Derailment coefficient.
(a)
(b)
(c)As shown in Figure8(a), for the action of San Fernando wave, the maximum of lateral force of wheel and rail fluctuates with the speeds between 200 km/h and 300 km/h, and it increases sharply after the speed of 300 km/h. But for the action of Imperial Valley-02 wave, the maximum of lateral force of wheel and rail increases approximately linearly with the increase of speed. Figure 8(b) shows that the maximum of wheel load reduction rate increases significantly with the increase of speed, and both of them exceed the limit value after the speed of 300 km/h. Figure 8(c) shows that the maximum of derailment coefficient increases nearly with the increase of speed under two seismic waves. The increment of the maximum of derailment coefficient under the action of San Fernando wave is smaller than that of Imperial Valley-02 wave. After the speed of 300 km/h, the maximum of derailment coefficients increase obviously under the action of two seismic waves.In general, the maximum of wheel load reduction rate is most affected by the speed, and it exceeds the limit value after the speed of 300 km/h. Therefore, the higher the speed is, the greater the hidden danger to vehicle running safety is.


## 5.1. Influence of Seismic Intensity on Vehicle Running Safety

One of the aims of the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system under earthquake is to research the vehicle running safety. Three indices of derailment coefficient, wheel load reduction rate, and wheel-rail lateral force are used to assess the operational safety of the vehicle, and their limit values [21] are listed in Table 3.Table 3
Limit values of running safety index.
Evaluation index of vehicle safety
Wheel-rail lateral force lateral force (kN)
Derailment coefficient
Wheel load reduction rate
Limit values
80 kN
0.8
0.6Imperial Valley-02 and San Fernando ground motion records of the same site type are used for seismic excitation, and the intensity of ground motion is 0.05 g, 0.1 g, 0.15 g, 0.2 g, 0.25 g, and 0.3 g, respectively. They are normalized by the rate of lateral to vertical accelerations with 1 : 0.65. The parameters of the vehicle and track remain unchanged, and the vehicle runs at 300 km/h. The time history curve of vertical and lateral accelerations of vehicle body under different seismic intensities is plotted in Figure6, respectively, and the maxima of wheel-rail lateral force, wheel load reduction rate, and derailment coefficient are shown in Figure 7.Figure 6
The time history curve of vertical and lateral accelerations of vehicle body under different seismic intensities. (a) Vertical acceleration of vehicle body. (b) Lateral acceleration of vehicle body.
(a)
(b)Figure 7
The maxima of wheel-rail lateral force, wheel load reduction rate, and derailment coefficient under different seismic intensities. (a) Lateral force of wheel and rail. (b) Wheel load reduction rate. (c) Derailment coefficient.
(a)
(b)
(c)It can be found in Figure6 that with the increase of seismic intensity, the shape of acceleration curve does not change, but the peak value of each curve increases. And seismic intensity has a greater effect on lateral acceleration than vertical acceleration.Figure7(a) shows that the maximum of lateral force of wheel and rail increases with the increase of seismic intensity under the Imperial Valley-02 and San Fernando seismic waves. When the seismic intensity for Imperial Valley-02 wave is between 0.25 g and 0.3 g, the increment of the maximum of lateral force of wheel and rail increases sharply, reaching 42%. For the San Fernando wave with the intensity of 0.15 g–0.2 g, the increment is the largest. From Figure 7(b), one can observe that the maximum of wheel load reduction rate increases with the increase of seismic intensity under two seismic waves. For the action of Imperial Valley-02 wave, it increases approximately linearly and exceeds the limit value when the intensity is 0.3 g, but for the action of San Fernando wave, it fluctuates between 0.1 g and 0.25 g and exceeds the limit value when the intensity is 0.2 g. Figure 7(c) shows that the maximum of derailment coefficient increases with the increase of seismic intensity under two seismic waves. Before 0.1 g, the maximum of derailment coefficient under Imperial Valley-02 is larger than that of San Fernando wave, but after 0.15 g, it is larger under the San Fernando wave.In general, the increase of seismic intensity has an influence on vehicle running safety of the vehicle, and the effect of San Fernando wave is greater. With the increase of seismic intensity, derailment coefficient increases the most, followed by wheel load reduction rate, and the maximum of wheel load reduction rate exceeds the limit value; then, it seriously affects the vehicle running safety.


## 5.2. Influence of Speed on Vehicle Running Safety

The speed values of 200 km/h, 225 km/h, 250 km/h, 275 km/h, 300 km/h, 325 km/h, and 350 km/h are used to investigate the influence of the speed on vehicle running safety. The intensity with 0.1 g for Imperial Valley-02 and San Fernando seismic waves is adopted. The parameters of the vehicle and track remain unchanged. The maxima of wheel-rail lateral force, wheel load reduction rate, and derailment coefficient are plotted in Figure8.Figure 8
The maxima of wheel-rail lateral force, wheel load reduction rate, and derailment coefficient under different speeds. (a) Lateral force of wheel and rail. (b) Wheel load reduction rate. (c) Derailment coefficient.
(a)
(b)
(c)As shown in Figure8(a), for the action of San Fernando wave, the maximum of lateral force of wheel and rail fluctuates with the speeds between 200 km/h and 300 km/h, and it increases sharply after the speed of 300 km/h. But for the action of Imperial Valley-02 wave, the maximum of lateral force of wheel and rail increases approximately linearly with the increase of speed. Figure 8(b) shows that the maximum of wheel load reduction rate increases significantly with the increase of speed, and both of them exceed the limit value after the speed of 300 km/h. Figure 8(c) shows that the maximum of derailment coefficient increases nearly with the increase of speed under two seismic waves. The increment of the maximum of derailment coefficient under the action of San Fernando wave is smaller than that of Imperial Valley-02 wave. After the speed of 300 km/h, the maximum of derailment coefficients increase obviously under the action of two seismic waves.In general, the maximum of wheel load reduction rate is most affected by the speed, and it exceeds the limit value after the speed of 300 km/h. Therefore, the higher the speed is, the greater the hidden danger to vehicle running safety is.


## 6. Conclusions

The dynamic model for the vehicle-CRTS III slab track system is established subjected to uniform seismic excitation, and the calculation program of MATLAB is compiled and verified. The influences of track parameters, seismic intensity, and running speed of the vehicle on the dynamic responses of the system and the vehicle running safety are analyzed. The results are as follows:(1)
The stiffness of fastener has influence on vertical accelerations of composite slab and base and the tensile stress of composite slab in the lateral and longitudinal directions but has little influence on the other dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system.(2)
The modulus of elasticity of base has important influence on the tensile stresses in the lateral and longitudinal directions of composite slab and base. However, it has little influence on the other dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system.(3)
The surface stiffness of cushion layer has important influence on the vertical accelerations of composite slab and base and tensile stresses in the lateral and longitudinal directions of composite slab. However, it has little influence on the other dynamic responses of the vehicle-track system.(4)
With the increases of seismic intensity and running speed of the vehicle, the safety indices increase greatly. The derailment coefficient is highly sensitive to seismic intensity, and the running speed of the vehicle has a great influence on wheel load reduction rate. Especially, the wheel load reduction rate may exceed its limit value, which seriously affects the vehicle running safety.



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*Source: 5308209-2019-07-21.xml*