Hybrid Lattice-discrete element method for ballast modeling

Abstract

Railway ballast modeling can be performed by different approaches, through continuous or discrete models, which have their comparative advantages and disadvantages, such as excessive volumes of material for testing and calibration steps. This paper aims to adapt and propose the use of the Hybrid Lattice-Discrete Element Method for modeling railway ballast aggregates. The advantages of using this technique for this purpose are: (i) one-step calibration of the rock material from laboratory test results; (ii) simulation of fractures in rock materials; (iii) visualization of micromechanical phenomena, such as particle slippage and fracture modes; (iv) realistic representation of various geometries compared to the conventional use of the Discrete Element Method. First, parameter calibration was performed from laboratory test results on granite rock obtained from the literature. Then, particle generation, Voronoi discretization and packing algorithms were used to build models of railway ballast samples. These models were used to simulate mechanical tests, namely single particle compression, confined uniaxial compression, monotonic triaxial compression and cyclic triaxial compression. There was consistency between the results and the empirical observations reported in the literature. In addition, variations in particle size distribution were observed during the simulations, as well as the causes of failure in each specimen, either by shear or particle breakage, in addition to the fracture modes of the ballast aggregates. By analyzing these elements together, knowledge is obtained about the phenomena occurring inside the railway ballast under different loading conditions, in addition to the results of strength, failure and deformation. Finally, it is concluded that the proposed method is effective for modeling railway ballast, besides being versatile, allowing to simulate the material for different loading configurations and boundary conditions.