Comparison of the technical performance of a discretely supported slab track system and an embedded slab track system in a high-speed railway

Slab tracks are increasingly used for High-Speed Railways (HSR) as opposed to the conventional ballasted track. This is due to many factors, including increased durability and sustainability, as the slab track can sustain higher dynamic loading with less maintenance and disruption to railway services. In line with this, this paper reports on preliminary work on the development and application of a 3D structural model using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software ABAQUS. The research aims at evaluating comparatively the behaviour of two types of slab track systems; namely, the RHEDA Track System (RTS), which is a German system, and the Balfour Beatty (UK) Embedded Rail System (ERS). The modelled track structures consist of a rail fastened onto a slab laid on a suitable foundation. The foundation comprises a Hydraulically Bound Layer (HBL) placed on a Frost Protection Layer (FPL) overlaying the subgrade soil. The paper reports on findings of static loading on a straight railway section investigating the relationship between slab the thickness values and the corresponding displacements (deflections) and related stresses along the load path. Ongoing research is further developing the model to assess the dynamic behaviour of HSR slab track including the railway geometry-structure interaction particularly at bends.