Effect of Tunnel Floor Heave on the Deformation and Damage Behavior of Ballastless Track Structures in High-Speed Railways

Abstract

The extensive development of high-speed railways in mountainous areas has underscored the significant challenge posed by tunnel floor heave, affecting the operational reliability of ballastless tracks. Such heave induces track deformation and structural impairments, critically undermining the operational safety and track serviceability. This investigation enhances the understanding of ballastless tracks’ mechanical responses to tunnel floor heave by introducing a sophisticated nonlinear analytical model that encapsulates the interplay between the track system, tunnel infrastructure, and the encasing geological environment. Utilizing the concrete damaged plasticity approach to model the track’s concrete structure, this research integrates these parameters with the track’s numerical representation, taking into account the role of internal reinforcement. Through an in-depth examination of track deformation, the interstitial gap, and damage progression within the track, it is demonstrated that comprehensive consideration of both the material’s constitutive model and reinforcement structuring is imperative. The analysis results indicate that the heave’s amplitude and wavelength exert limited influence on the deformation amplitude ratio, whereas variations in heave characteristics significantly alter the wavelength transmission ratio, engendering a distinct “M” shaped gap profile. It is observed that the propensity for material damage escalates in areas experiencing pronounced tensile stress, particularly under conditions of reduced wavelength and increased amplitude heave, necessitating prioritized attention in track maintenance protocols.