Experimental Investigation into the Lateral Resistance of a Sleeper Under Various Loading Rates
| dc.contributor.advisor | Tensay Gebremedhin | |
| dc.contributor.author | Engda Sereke Ymane | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-13T11:37:58Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-13T11:37:58Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-06 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Railway sleepers are the primary structural elements that maintain the lateral stability of railroad tracks in a ballasted track system. Their interaction with ballast serves to maintain track alignment, prevent lateral movement, and ensure the track structure's strength to withstand both static and dynamic loads, all of which contributes to improved track performance and stability. The sleeper lateral resistance of a track through its interaction with ballast is significantly influenced by the loading rate variation in a ballasted track system. This research examines the effect of loading rate on the sleeper's lateral resistance in track performance and stability in ballasted track systems under experimental conditions. The single-tie push test method was used in this field investigation study to assess the sleeper's lateral resistance. Two loading rate tests (0.32kN/s and 0.92kN/s) have been conducted to determine the sleeper's lateral resistance and describe their lateral resistance behaviors. The results showed that the sleeper's lateral resistance increased by 14% under higher loading rates compared to lower loading rates. In addition, the lateral resistance of a sleeper under loading rate variation has three different characteristics: elastic, elastic-plastic, and plastic behaviors. The result shows that in the elastic zone, higher lateral stiffness was observed compared to other zones due to a strong frictional interaction between the sleeper and ballast particles to resist the lateral forces. In the plastic zone, the sleeper has low lateral resistance, slides easily and highly, and achieves minimal lateral stiffness, as the interaction between the surface sleeper and ballast particles is significantly diminished. Additionally, in this study the engagement of the ballast base, crib, and shoulder in the ballasted track system for maintaining the track's lateral stability was determined, and their contribution is 33.7%, 22.1%, and 45.2%, respectively. Accordingly, the ballast shoulder plays a primary role in maintaining the track's lateral stability by limiting the sleeper's lateral movement and ensuring the track's alignment. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8143 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | |
| dc.subject | Lateral resistance | |
| dc.subject | loading rate | |
| dc.subject | Railway sleeper | |
| dc.subject | Ballast base | |
| dc.subject | Ballast crib | |
| dc.subject | Ballast shoulder | |
| dc.subject | Single-tie push test | |
| dc.title | Experimental Investigation into the Lateral Resistance of a Sleeper Under Various Loading Rates | |
| dc.type | Thesis |