A comparison between the dynamic and static stiffness of ballasted track: A field study

Rail support modulus is an important parameter for analysis and design of ballasted railway tracks. One of the challenges in track stiffness assessment is its dynamic nature under the moving trains which differs it from the case of standing trains. So the present study is allocated to establish a relation between the dynamic and static stiffness of ballasted tracks via field measurements. In this regard, two different sites of ballasted tracks with wooden and concrete sleepers were selected and the static and dynamic stiffness were measured based on Talbot – Wasiutynski method. In this matter, the selected tracks were loaded by two heavy and light car bodies for standing and moving conditions and consequently the deflection basins were evaluated in both sites. Knowing the deflection basins respect to light and heavy loading conditions, both of static and dynamic stiffness values were extracted. Finally two definite relations were obtained for ballasted tracks with wooded and concrete sleepers.