Determining service life of non-ballast track based on calculation and test

Abstract

Abstract At the Test Loop of JSC VNIIZHT there have been finished unique testing of non-ballast track in a volume 1.1 milliard tones gross of passed tonnage. The calculation-test method for service life definition of non-ballast track at high-speed track is presented under test results on the Test Loop. Taking into account operation conditions at the high-speed track 176.6 kN on axle the speed is 300 km/h and working capacity is 30 mln. t gross, the passed tonnage will make up 2270.4 mln. t. gross or 75.7 years of service. The authors developed a calculation-test method, which allows predicting for a good reason a service life of innovate track construction upon the calculation and accelerated test results on a closed polygon. The article provides a way to forecast the behaviour of various track constructions in advanced operation conditions that are not yet created according to the results of tests on the Test Loop. The reasonably calculated service life of a non-ballast track makes it possible to objectively compare it with the payback period, thus determining the expediency of its construction at the testing stage.