Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The importance of modelling ballast particle shape in the discrete element method

  • Published:
Granular Matter Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The discrete element method has been used to model railway ballast. Particles have been modelled using both spheres and clumps of spheres. A simple procedure has been developed to generate clumps which resemble real ballast particles much more so than spheres. The influence of clump shape on the heterogeneous stresses within an aggregate has been investigated, and it has been found that more angular clumps lead to a greater degree of homogeneity. A box test consisting of one cycle of sleeper load after compaction has been performed on an aggregate of spheres and also on an alternative aggregate of clumps. The interlocking provided by the clumps provides a much more realistic load- deformation response than the spheres and the clumps will be the basis for future work on ballast degradation under cyclic loading.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  1. Cundall P.A., Strack O.D.L. (1979) A discrete element model for granular assemblies. Géotechnique 29(1): 47–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Itasca, Particle Flow Code in Three Dimensions. Itasca Consulting Group, Inc., Minnesota, 1999

  3. McDowell G.R., Harireche O. (2002) Discrete element modelling of soil particle fracture. Géotechnique 52(2): 131–135

    Google Scholar 

  4. Robertson, D.: Computer simulations of crushable aggregates. Ph.D. dissertation, Cambridge University (2000)

  5. McDowell G.R., Harireche O. (2002) Discrete element modelling of yielding and normal compression of sand. Géotechnique 52(4): 299–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Cheng Y.P., Nakata Y., Bolton M.D. (2003) Discrete element simulation of crushable soil. Géotechnique 53(7): 633–641

    Google Scholar 

  7. Harireche O., McDowell G.R. (2003) Discrete element modelling of cyclic loading of crushable aggregates. Granul Matter 5(3): 147–152

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  8. Lim W.L., McDowell G.R. (2005) Discrete element modelling of railway ballast. Granular Matter 7(1): 19–29

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  9. Railtrack, Railtrack Line Specification RT/CE/006 Issue 3: Track Ballast. Railtrack, London (2000)

  10. McDowell, G.R., Lim, W.L., Collop, A.C., Armitage, R., Thom, N.H.: Comparison of ballast index tests for railway trackbeds. In: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Geotechnical Engineering, 157(GE3), p. 151–161 (2004)

  11. Nakata Y., Kato Y., Hyodo M., Hyde A.F.L., Murata H. (2001) One-dimensional compression behaviour of uniformly graded sand related to single particle crushing strength. Soils and Foundations 41(2): 39–51

    Google Scholar 

  12. Lekarp F., Isacsson U., Dawson A.R. (2000) State of the art. I. Resilient response of unbound aggregates. ASCE J. Transport Eng 126(1): 66–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Suiker A.S.J., Fleck N.A. (2004) Frictional collapse of granular assemblies. J Appl Mech 71, 350–358

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nottingham Centre for Geomechanics, School of Civil Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK

    M. Lu & G. R. McDowell

Authors
  1. M. Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. R. McDowell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. R. McDowell.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lu, M., McDowell, G.R. The importance of modelling ballast particle shape in the discrete element method. Granular Matter 9, 69–80 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-006-0021-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-006-0021-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation