IF articles

This article proposes a method of calculation

for evaluating stresses and strains in the track structure.

This condition is calculated by modelling the single elements

composing the structure, considering the loads and

the number of traffic repetitions, the characteristics of the

materials, and the environmental conditions.

The method can be used both in the design phase to optimize

the choice of the materials to be used and in the operation phase

to verify the real service life of the structure in the presence of

substantial variations in the data presumed in the design phase.

The method has been validated with the experimental

data collected by R.F.I. The method has been applied to

evaluate the service life of a track, considering the layer mechanical

characteristics and the air temperatures.