Evaluating high-speed rail track systems: A finite element analysis of slab vs. ballasted railway tracks.

The safety and comfort of high-speed train operations depend on effective and dependable track systems. A structural comparison of slab and ballasted track systems under static loading circumstances is presented in this work, with an emphasis on high-speed railway applications. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor's actual geometry and material characteristics are included in the study via the use of finite element modelling in ANSYS. The primary structural responses—deflection, bending stress, and shear stress—were assessed. The results indicate that slab track systems perform better structurally than ballasted tracks, with a 45% decrease in deflection attributable to their greater flexural stiffness. Further parametric calculations reveal that although increasing the rigidity of Cement Asphalt Mortar (CAM) improves slab stability by 16.7%, albeit at the expense of a 9.88% increase in shear stress, increasing the stiffness of rail pads decreases rail deflection by 20%. Moreover, augmenting the thickness of concrete slabs and subgrade layers enhanced stress distribution and structural longevity, but it resulted in greater localized stresses in some components. Optimizing essential design parameters—rail pad, CAM, and subgrade stiffness—was determined to significantly reduce stress concentrations and deformations. The results highlight the inherent benefits of slab track systems, especially in minimizing maintenance requirements and improving long-term efficacy. This research provides practical design insights for enhancing slab track systems, thereby facilitating the creation of high-speed rail infrastructure that is more cost-effective, durable, and secure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]