Comparison of wheel/rail dynamic responses of the rail weld zones between bal-lasted track and slab track in high-speed railways

Both ballasted track and slab track are commonly used in high-speed railways. Based on the theory of vehicle-track coupled dynamics, the wheel-rail dynamic responses in the rail weld zones of these two tracks are investigated, and the P 1 , transient high-frequency impact force, and the P 2 , low-frequency impact force are analysed. The results show that, due to the high stiffness and small damping ratio of the vehicle and the ballasted track system, the P 1 force of the ballasted track is generally greater than that of slab track while the P 2 force is smaller than slab track. Furthermore, the duration of the impact load of ballasted track is longer than that of slab track. The results will provide a reference for the analysis and evaluation of ballasted tracks in high-speed railways.