Study of the mechanical behavior of the ballast using discrete approach

C. Cholet (1) , X. Oviedo (1, 2) , Gaël Combe (3) , P.E. Gautier (1) , Karam Sab (4) , Jean Jacques Moreau (3) , Gilles Forêt (2) , F. Josse (1) , L.M. Cléon (1)

1 SNCF
2 ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech
3 LMGC - Laboratoire de Mécanique et Génie Civil
4 LMSGC - Laboratoire des matériaux et structures du génie civil

In this paper, we are interested in the study of the ballasted track and specially in two main topics: the mechanisms of degradation in the medium-to-long term and the maintenance of the ballast layer. Both an experimental and a numerical approach have been developed. Numerical simulations are performed using discrete element methods and are validated through comparisons with reference experiments at reduced scale. This principle is the basis of the studies undertaken.

Mots clés: ballast; granular materials; tamping; settlement

Domaines: Mécanique [physics.med-ph]

C. Cholet, X. Oviedo, Gaël Combe, P.E. Gautier, Karam Sab, et al.. Study of the mechanical behavior of the ballast using discrete approach. World Congress on Railway Research: Markets, Products, Technology, Sep 2001, Cologne, Germany. ⟨hal-01864203⟩