Mechanism of manual tamping operation for ballast bed based on DEM–MBD coupling

• Published in: Computational particle mechanics Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 1627 - 1640
• Main Authors: Qian, Zhongxia, Xiao, Hong, Feng, Ruiling, Zhang, Zhihai, Nadakatti, Mahantesh M, Fang, Jia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-08-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Beds; Beds (process engineering); Classical and Continuum Physics; Computational Science and Engineering; Coupling; Discrete element method; Energy distribution; Energy levels; Engineering; Field tests; Impact analysis; Motion stability; Movement; Multibody systems; Potential energy; Railroad ballast; Railroad ties; Railway tracks; Rotation; Tamping; Theoretical and Applied Mechanics; Vibration analysis; Ballast bed; Energy evolution; Manual tamping; Discrete element; Mesoscopic movement; Multi-body dynamics
• ISSN: 2196-4378; 2196-4386
• DOI: 10.1007/s40571-023-00689-5

In order to study the mesoscopic mechanism of manual tamping operation on ballast bed, a simulation method for manual tamping of ballast bed was proposed, and a 3D coupling model of manual tamping machine-ballasted track was established using the bi-directional coupling simulation theory, discrete element modeling, and multi-body dynamics. The correctness of the model was verified through field tests. The influence of the operation process on the ballast movement and the change in ballast bed energy were analyzed. The results show that the inserting and vibrating stages of the manual tamping operation have a significant impact on the ballast bed. The particle translational distribution area is in the shape of a semicircular arc, showing that an impact depth is about 2/3 of the height from the bottom of sleeper. The depth of rotation influence is below the sleeper up to half of its height. The retracting stage has less disturbance to the ballast bed, which is beneficial for its stability after the completion of operation. Under the vibration and impact of tamping pick, the ballast undergoes motion mainly in the form of translation and secondary movements in the form of rotation, resulting in filling the gap under the sleeper. The process of manual tamping operation causes variation in the ballast bed energy levels. The particle potential energy, a significant increase of 12.8% after the operation, mainly affects the upper area of the sleeper bottom.