Analysis of asphalt concrete track based on service line test results

Abstract Most of railways in Korea are constructed with ballasted tracks. However, high-speed railways such as Gyeongbu line and Honam line are running on concrete tracks, a type of ballastless track. The asphalt track, a different type of ballastless track, requires no construction joints due to its viscoelasticity and have the advantage of reduced noise and vibration. Other merits of the track include fast restoration from natural disasters of derailment, and easy maintenance. This paper performs a real scale test and numerical analysis to evaluate the behaviors of the asphalt track systems mentioned above. Long-term monitoring was performed on the AC track at Baekwon Station, Gyeongbuk Line by the web-based measurement system. The performance test was conducted, and the data were collected for the analysis. The results confirmed that the behaviors of the AC track are closely related to the seasonal temperature changes. As a result of comparison with numerical analysis, the measured and predicted roadbed pressure and AC strain values (as a high-speed train is passing through) met the allowable standard.