Behaviour of train-track interaction in stiffness transitions

In the present study, the problem of railway stiffness transitions, for example, railway tracks near bridge abutments or tunnels, was investigated numerically in terms of track deterioration and passenger comfort utilising two types of analysis. The first analysis employed a train-transition curve model which simulates the response of the train to deflection changes in the vicinity of the transition zone. The second analysis used a three-dimensional (3D) finite-element representation of the railway track interacting with a passing train. The effects of train speed, track stiffness changes and the presence of a track fault were addressed. The findings of this research are compared against available studies in the literature and recommendations are given towards an appropriate engineering design of transition zones.