Effect of gap on vertical deformation and deterioration stress of CRTS-I ballastless track

To explore the influence of gap on deformation and deterioration stress of track structure, a finite element model of CRTS-I slab ballastless track with gap is established by ABAQUS on the basis of plastic damage constitutive relation of concrete. The effects of different sizes and different positions of gap on displacement and stress of the track structure are calculated and analysed. The influence law of gap on deformation and deterioration stress is drawn by comparison with the calculation of normal track structure. The results show that increasing gap size sharply increases vertical displacement of both rails and slab and also seriously deteriorates transversal and longitudinal stress on the track slab to a great extent. Moreover, the effect of gap at slab centre on deteriorated stress and deformation is less than that of gap at slab end. The study can obviously provide theoretical reference for the maintenance standard.