Study on the Stiffness of Rail Support for Some Lines of Urban Railway in Vietnam

Track stiffness significantly affects how forces are transferred from the train to the substructure. Vietnam is currently in the process of constructing and operating three urban railway lines (URL). This research focuses on analyzing the stiffness of the rail support system and examining the forces exerted on these supports in relation to their stiffness properties. To achieve this, the study employs analytical methods, finite element method (FEM), and simulation techniques for structural analysis. The results reveal that the forces transmitted to the rail bearings are 26,117 N, 24,332 N, and 24,570 N, corresponding to axle loads of 16 tons/axle, 14 tons/axle, and 14.5 tons/axle, respectively. Furthermore, the reduction ratios of train loads transferred to the substructure are 67.35%, 65.24%, and 66.11%. These values are associated with bearing stiffness values of 23.1x106 N/mm, 30.8x106 N/mm, and 27.5x106 N/mm, respectively. Proper determination of rail support stiffness is crucial for efficient railway operations and maintenance. Accurate stiffness values ensure better load distribution across the infrastructure. This prevents excessive stress on specific structural components. In addition, optimizing stiffness helps minimize maintenance costs and prolongs infrastructure lifespan.