Parametric Study on Response of Railway Tracks Under Moving Loads

Abstract

This paper addresses the dynamic response of a railway tracks under moving loads. In the present analysis,
an infinite Euler–Bernoulli beam of constant cross-section resting on an elastic foundation is considered. The beam and
foundation are assumed to be homogeneous and isotropic. The foundation is modeled using one and two parameters with
damping. The beam is subjected to a constant point load moving with a constant speed along the beam. An effort has
been made to find the solution of the governing differential equation analytically. In this parametric study we find that
the deflection and bending moment response of the beam is symmetric with respect to point load in the case of without
damping and asymmetric in the case of damping. The maximum displacement as well as maximum bending moment both
occurs under the moving load for both the cases with or without damping.