What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate railway track structure using field instrumentation and numerical modeling to assess structural conditions.

April 3, 2026Open Access

Structural Evaluation Procedure for Heavy Haul Railway Tracks Using Field Instrumentation and Numerical Back-Analysis

Key Points

To evaluate railway track structure using field instrumentation and numerical modeling to assess structural conditions.
Combined field measurements with laboratory testing and numerical simulations.
Utilized the finite element method for analyzing track components.
Conducted back-analysis to calibrate ballast resilient modulus using SysTrain software.
Field measurements included deflections from LVDT sensors at sleeper ends.
Ballast resilient modulus was calibrated at approximately 1500 MPa, indicating high stiffness.
Simulations indicated vertical stress levels were below 100 kPa in lower layers of the track.
Laboratory tests showed soils were highly susceptible to permanent deformation under moisture variations.
The methodology contributed to a better understanding of ballast response under repeated loading.

Abstract

Structural evaluation of railway tracks in operation requires the integration of field measurements and numerical models capable of adequately representing the mechanical behavior of permanent railway pavement components. In this context, this study presents the structural analysis of a railway segment based on the combination of field instrumentation, laboratory testing, and numerical simulations grounded in the Finite Element Method, adopting linear elastic and resilient material behavior for all track components, using SysTrain software (v.1.88).The objective of this work is to assess the application of a back-analysis methodology based on field instrumentation and numerical modeling, as well as to verify the structural conditions of an in-service railway pavement. The back-analysis was conducted using the SysTrain software, with a focus on calibrating the ballast resilient modulus (RM) and analyzing its effects on the propagation of stresses, internal forces, and displacements throughout the track structure. To this end, field-measured deflections obtained from LVDT sensors installed at the sleeper ends were used, together with the geotechnical, resilient, and permanent deformation (PD) characterization of the underlying soil layers obtained in the laboratory. The results indicated that the calibration of the numerical model requires a ballast resilient modulus in the order of 1500 MPa, suggesting a condition of high layer stiffness. The simulations showed vertical stress levels below 100 kPa in the lower layers, while laboratory tests revealed the high susceptibility of the soils to PD, particularly under moisture variations. It is concluded that the applied methodology enables a consistent assessment of the structural conditions of the track and contributes to a more robust understanding of the ballast response under repeated loading, providing support for railway design, maintenance, and management criteria.

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