Effect of track defects on track deformations for high-speed railway bridge

Track defects can change the interaction between layers and affect the nonlinear contact between the beam and base slab, causing deformations in the rail. This study proposes a theoretical model to clarify the influence mechanism of track defects on the track irregularity of high-speed railway bridges under pier settlement. The investigated track defects include the void under slab, interlayer debonding, and fastener fracture. The elongation coefficient of track deformation is used to describe the mapping characteristics of the interlayer parameters to track geometric under the additional bridge deformation. The geometric characteristics and changing trend of the rail surface are quantified under the influence of the failure position and critical length. Finally, the fundamental mechanisms of track deformation are elucidated, which lays a theoretical basis for further study of the long-term evolution of infrastructure.