Investigating vehicle-slab track interaction considering random track bed stiffness

This paper deals with the modeling of a vertically coupled vehicle-slab track using the nite element method. The slab track system is represented by a two layer Euler-Bernoulli beam model, including a rail and a concrete slab. The vertical stiness of the track bed is assumed to be a random variable using Monte Carlo simulation. The vehicle is simplied as a multi-body system with 10 degrees of freedom. The accuracy of the simulation is veried by deterministic and random approaches, as well. Sensitivity analyses of the various parameters such as slab thickness, coecient of track bed stiness and vehicle velocity are performed. It is demonstrated that the uncertainty in track bed stiness has a major eect on rail and slab de ections. From a practical point of view, the obtained results of the present study can be utilized eciently in the analysis and design of slab track systems.