University of Twente Student Theses
Fast-Tracking Railway Bridge Analysis, Automation of Longitudinal Force Analysis in Ballasted Railway Bridges
Borsboom, B.E. (2025) Fast-Tracking Railway Bridge Analysis, Automation of Longitudinal Force Analysis in Ballasted Railway Bridges.
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| Abstract: | The design of ballasted railway bridges requires careful consideration of longitudinal forces caused by braking and acceleration. These forces, which can induce stresses and displacements in bridge structures and tracks, necessitate precise calculations to ensure safety and performance. Traditional approaches often rely on simplified single-degree-of-freedom models or manually constructed finite element representations, making the process labour-intensive and prone to inefficiencies. This research presents a novel parametric finite element model to automate longitudinal force analysis for ballasted railway bridges. The model integrates geometrical data inputs to generate detailed structural representations automatically. By employing sequential loading procedures and the Newton-Raphson algorithm, it enables precise simulation of braking and acceleration forces. Verification included visual inspections, while validation consisted of sensitivity analyses and benchmarking against established tools. Key findings indicate that the model can significantly reduce the time required for longitudinal force analysis while maintaining accuracy within a 10% margin for single-span bridges. However, multi-span bridge scenarios revealed higher error margins due to limitations in span independence and bearing behaviour modelling. The results underscore the potential of automation to streamline longitudinal force analysis in railway bridge design. With further refinements, the developed tool offers a pathway to more efficient, material-conscious, and reliable design practices in railway infrastructure projects. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Clients: | Mobilis |
| Faculty: | ET: Engineering Technology |
| Subject: | 56 civil engineering |
| Programme: | Civil Engineering BSc (56952) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/105142 |
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