Influence of spatial track alignment of long-span arch bridge on train operational stability

The obvious deformation of long-span arch bridges poses a new challenge to the operation and maintenance management of the track alignment and the operational stability of high-speed trains. This study aims at understanding the influence mechanism of track alignment of long-span arch bridges on the operational stability of trains, wherein both static and dynamic track alignments are considered. This study starts with a comparison of the static and dynamic track alignments caused by the shrinkage and creep of concrete, as well as the temperature. Then, an effective evaluation method for track alignment with different wavelength components is proposed. The influence of static and dynamic track alignments under different loads is discussed. The results show that concrete shrinkage and creep introduces more alignment components within the sensitive wavelength range than environmental temperature. The proposed chord measurement and curvature methods are proved to accurately evaluate the car body acceleration caused by the different wavelength. For the sensitive wavelength range, the chord measurement amplitude of the dynamic track alignment can be covered by the chord measurement amplitude of the static track alignment. The shrinkage and creep of concrete have great influence on the smoothness of track and the operational stability of trains.