Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Design and development of a laboratory model for generation of dynamic stress in soil

  • Technical paper
  • Published:
Innovative Infrastructure Solutions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Various full-scale model testing methods adopted by researchers to study response of track structure and the supporting soil against train-induced vibrations are advance and accurate and, however, are very expensive. Besides, standard approaches to study stresses in the subgrades are based on train dynamic loads derived by multiplying static load by an impact factor. Hence, the objective of this study is to develop an innovative, accurate, safe and economical scaled laboratory setup of a locomotive wheel that will generate the desired dynamic effect in the supporting track foundation. To achieve this, an electric drive system, comprising of a motor, a graduated circular disc and a load device, was designed and developed in the laboratory to the scale of 1:30. A representative soil sample from the site was collected in the tank and compacted to its maximum density. The displacement values obtained by integrating accelerometer values from the experimental work are consistent with the displacement outcomes of the finite element simulation with less than 10% variance, which therefore reinforces the dependability of the results. Further, in order to gauge the rate of settlement of the subsoil over the designed life of the track structure, cumulative plastic deformation based on Li and Selig method was derived for the given soil with high plasticity. The soil below the non-ballasted tracks, over the designed life, exhibited settlement levels 7 times higher than the defined permissible limits as per standard codes. It is therefore that the study recommends the adoption of suitable soil remediation techniques before the superstructure is constructed.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and material

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon request.

References

  1. Guo NZ, Zou JF, Li L, Yang XL (2008) Dynamic compaction theory and experiments in high roadbed filled with red sandstone. J Central South Univ Sci Technol 39(1):185–189

    Google Scholar 

  2. Li J, Zhang J, Qian G, Zheng J, Zhang Y (2019) Three-dimensional simulation of aggregate and asphalt mixture using parameterized shape and size gradation. J Mater Civ Eng 31(3), 04019004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Cai Y, Sun Q, Guo L, Juang CH, Wang J (2015) Permanent deformation characteristics of saturated sand under cyclic loading. Can Geotech J 52(6):795–807

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Basha EA, Hashim R, Mahmud HB, Muntohar AS (2005) Stabilization of residual soil with rice husk ash and cement. J Constr Build Mater 19(6):448–453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Tan X, Chen W, Liu H, Chan AHC (2018) Stress–strain characteristics of foamed concrete subjected to large deformation under uniaxial and triaxial compressive loading. J Mater Civ Eng 30(6), 04018095

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Sun Q, Cai Y, Chu J, Dong Q, Wang J (2017) Effect of variable confining pressure on cyclic behaviour of granular soil under triaxial tests. Can Geotech J 54(6):768–777

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Fujikawa K, Miura N, Beppu I (1996) Field investigation on the settlement of low embankment due to traffic load and its prediction. J Soils Found 36(4):147–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Chai JC, Miura N (2002) Traffic-load-induced permanent deformation of road on soft subsoil. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 128(11):907–916

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Joseph A, James M (2012) Permanent deformation testing for a new South African mechanistic pavement design method. J Constr Build Mater 26:541–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Cai YQ, Guo L, Jardine RJ, Yang ZX, Wang J (2017) Stress–strain response of soft clay to traffic loading. Geotechnique 67(5):446–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Zhang J, Peng J, Zheng J, Yao Y (2018) Characterisation of stress and moisture-dependent resilient behaviour for compacted clays in South China. J Road Mater Pavement Des 19:1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Zhang JH, Peng J, Zheng J, Dai L, Yao Y (2019) Prediction of resilient modulus of compacted cohesive soils in South China. Int J Geomech 19(7), 04019068

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Shih JY, Thompson D, Zervos A (2014) Assessment of track-ground coupled vibration induced by high-speed trains. The 21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  14. El Kacimi A, Woodward PK, Laghrouche O, Medero G (2013) Time domain 3D finite element modelling of train-induced vibration at high speed. J Comput Struct 118:66–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Lombaert G, Degrande G (2009) Ground-borne vibration due to static and dynamic axle loads of InterCity and high-speed trains. J Sound Vib 319(3–5):1036–1066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Kouroussis G, Verlinden O, Conti C (2009) Ground propagation of vibrations from railway vehicles using a finite/infinite-element model of the soil. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part F J Rail Rapid Transit 223(4):405–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Kaynia AM, Madshus C, Zackrisson P (2000) Ground vibration from high-speed trains: prediction and countermeasure. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 126(6):531–537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Costa PA, Calçada R, Cardoso AS (2012) Track–ground vibrations induced by railway traffic: in-situ measurements and validation of a 2.5D FEM/BEM model. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng J 32(1):111–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Ishikawa T, Sekine E, Miura S (2011) Cyclic deformation of granular material subjected to moving-wheel loads. Can Geotech J 48(5):691–703. https://doi.org/10.1139/t10-099

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Al Shaer A, Duhamel D, Sab K, Foret G, Schmitt L (2008) Experimental settlement and dynamic behavior of a portion of ballasted railway track under high speed trains. J Sound Vib 316(1–5):211–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2008.02.055

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Jiang H, Bian X, Cheng C, Chen Y, Chen R (2014) Simulating train moving loads in physical model testing of railway infrastructure and its numerical calibration. Acta Geotech. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-014-0327-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Sekine E, Ishikawa T, Kohata Y (2004) Effect of moving wheel load on cyclic plastic deformation of railroad ballast. RTRI Rep 18(3):17–22

    Google Scholar 

  23. Bian Xuecheng, Jiang Hongguang, Chang Chao, Jing Hu, Chen Yunmin (2015) Track and ground vibrations generated by high-speed train running on ballastless railway with excitation of vertical track irregularities. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng J. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2015.02.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Sheng X, Jones CJC, Petyt M (1999) Ground vibration generated by harmonic load acting on a railway track. J Sound Vib 225(1):3–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Luo L, Zhang G, Wu W, Chai X (2006) Control of track irregularity in wheel–rail systems. China Railway Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  26. Li D, Selig ET (1996) Cumulative plastic deformation for fine grained subgrade soils. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng ASCE 122(12):1006–1013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Goldscheider M (1978) Shakedown and incremental collapse of structures in dry sand bodies. In: Proceedings of dynamical methods in soil and rock mechanics, plastic and long-term effects in soils, Balkema, Rotterdam, 2

  28. Fadaee MJ, Saffari H, Tabatabaei R (2008) Shear effects in shakedown analysis of offshore structures. J Ocean Univ China 7(1):77–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-008-0177-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Konig JA, Maier G (1981) Shakedown analysis of elastoplastic structures: a review of recent developments. Nucl Eng Des 66(1):81–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/0029-5493(81)90183-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Vucetic M, Dobry R (1991) Effect of soil plasticity on cyclic response. ASCE J Geotech Eng 117:89–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Li D, Selig ET (1998) Method for railroad track foundation design. I: development. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng ASCE 124(4):316–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

No funding to declare.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil Engineering Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Institute of Technology, Gujarat, India

    Pooja S. Rao, Atul K. Desai & Chandresh H. Solanki

Authors
  1. Pooja S. Rao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Atul K. Desai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chandresh H. Solanki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pooja S. Rao.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethics approval

The manuscript is not currently being considered for publication in another journal nor published in whole or in part elsewhere.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rao, P.S., Desai, A.K. & Solanki, C.H. Design and development of a laboratory model for generation of dynamic stress in soil. Innov. Infrastruct. Solut. 6, 60 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-020-00406-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-020-00406-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation