Assessing the Applicability of Track Alignment Design Code for Continuous Welded Rail Installation to Concrete Slab Track

Abstract

In the KR code, the track alignment limitations for CWR installation are specified. These limitations appear reasonable for ballasted tracks. However, its application to the concrete slab track is doubtful because the concrete slab track has a much higher buckling resistance than the ballasted track. In addition, sometimes the track alignment cannot satisfy the KR code limitations in urban areas. Therefore, the track alignment limitations for the CWR in the KR code should be evaluated for the concrete slab track. In this study, the focus was on assessing the applicability of track alignment limitations for CWR installation in the KR code for a concrete slab track. First, a literature review was conducted to identify the basis of KR codes. Subsequently, a series of track stability analyses were performed to evaluate the applicability of the horizontal and vertical curves in the KR code to the concrete slab track. The results indicated that CWR can be installed on a concrete slab track without special limitations for the curve ranges specified in the KR code.