Mechanical deformation properties of Continuous Welded Rail on kilometer-span suspension bridge for high-speed railway

Abstract

The complex bridge-track interaction between kilometer-span bridges and continuous Welded Rail (CWR) brings great challenges to CWR designing. Taking a suspension bridge with laying CWR as a case, the mechanical properties of CWR on the bridge are analyzed to reveal the sensitive areas of the track, and the design method of CWR and track structures on the beam ends are proposed. The results show that the unidirectional Rail Expansion Joints(REJ) need to be installed on the beam end of the kilometer-span bridge to reduce rail longitudinal force. Due to the bridge characteristics, there is no CWR fixed area on the kilometer-span bridge, and rail longitudinal force on the main span caused by bending loads needs to be concerned. The deformation of track on the beam end is complex, which is the weak area on the kilometer bridge, the large relative displacement between the stock rail of REJ and the main beam can cause poor stability of ballast bed on beam end, small resistance fasteners need to be laid on the sides of stock rail on the main beam to increase the stability of ballast and fasteners on the beam end. To improve the driving safety and comfort of beam end, the Sleeper-Supporting Apparatus (SSA) should be specially designed to ensure the uniform transition of track on beam ends. Temperature and wind loads have a significant impact on track regularity on the kilometer span bridge, the dynamic response of trains and bridges under those loads needs to be attended to.