Study on a 3D Train-Track-Bridge System Dynamic Behavior Subjected to Over-Height Collision Force

Abstract

Railway bridges are built to allow trains to cross over highways, valleys, or other transportation infrastructure. In recent years, the number of railway bridges subjected to over-height collision forces has increased. These collisions damage the bridge and affect the safety of the running train. In this investigation, first, a 3D GT26 train-track-bridge interaction model was created to study the effects of collision forces applied to the bridge superstructure and not to the bridge piers as a novelty of this research using the finite element analysis. Then, the dynamic responses of the railway bridge due to the GT26 train load and subjected to over-height collision forces were obtained. Finally, the different sensitivity analyses describe that changing the length of the collision area, the bridge span, and the value of collision forces affect the dynamic responses of the bridge in the contact area. The results show that maximum lateral displacement of the concrete girder in case of assuming the GT26 train 3D model plus over-height collision force is 8.88% less than the case in which considering only freight train axle-load and same over-height collision force apply to the bridge superstructure, and its value reduces from 45 mm to 41 mm. The maximum lateral displacement of the bridge deck is reduced by about 71% by increasing the collision area length from 0.2 m to 1.2 m and at the impact area rises about 43.5% by changing collision speed from 48 km/hr to 144 km/hr as collision force from 7753 kN to 13370 kN.