Monitoring the dynamic response of track formation with retaining wall to heavy-haul train passage

ABSTRACT A monitoring project was implemented in trial sections of the Watang−Rizhao heavy-haul railway. Data were acquired at instrumented track formations and railway retaining wall during 30 passages of train at operating speeds ranging from 5 km/h to 100 km/h. At the formation level, earth pressure cells were mounted beneath 10 longitudinally adjacent sleepers, one of which was installed along with two integrated vibration sensors for vertical acceleration and deflection measurements. The retaining wall was instrumented at different elevations in examining its vibration characteristics and variation in earth pressure against the wall due to train passage. Statistical analysis was performed on peak values of observed data to assess train speed impact on the dynamic response of the earth substructures. This field study provides researchers and practitioners with comprehensive data pertaining to the dynamic performance evaluation of track foundations supported by retaining structures under a maximum axle load of 30 tons.