Modelling rail track performance: an integrated approach

Ongoing work at the Queensland University of Technology has developed an in tegrated computer-based tool for the prediction of rail track behaviour und er changing traffic conditions. The track degradation model described in th is paper takes into account degradation due to interactions between track c omponents. The model uses mechanistic relationships and embraces all the ma jor factors that may influence service life of track components. The model was applied to a typical Australian railway track. The results showed that increasing axle load and train showed accelerates degradation of the track and wear of rails. The rate of failure of timber sleepers is sensitive to t he age of the sleepers, traffic parameters and to environmental factors suc h as rate of decay of timber and how well the track drains. Increases in ax le loads may not lead to a higher rate of sleeper damage failure at fixed t raffic tonnage.