BS 114 Rail Structure Interaction
BS 114 Rail Structure Interaction
BS 114 Rail Structure Interaction
BS 114
Provisions with Commentary
November 2015
LWR manual of Indian Railways have allowed to lay LWR on girders with bearings only with rail-
free fastenings so far. This has created problems in field as bridges with even single span ballasted deck
girders had to be isolated by providing SEJs on either approach to isolate the LWR. Efforts were made
first by HAG committee comprising of Director IRICEN, PCEs SE Rly and SC Rly, ED/Track-I/RDSO and
ED/B & S/RDSO and then by B & S dte of RDSO to study the phenomenon of Rail-Structure Interaction.
The contribution of Sh A K Goel, the then Director/IRICEN, Sh Ajay Goyal, then Senior Professor/Bridges-
I/IRICEN and all members of HAG committee in this field is very important. This document is ultimately a
compilation of work done on the subject till now. This document borrows heavily from the “RDSO
Guidelines for Carrying out Rail-Structure Interaction studies for metro systems” Ver 2, issued in January
2015 and the contributors to that report are also acknowledged.
Work done at RDSO by Sh V B Sood, Director/B & S/SB-II and his team comprising Sh B P Singh,
DD/SB-II, Sh Uma Shanker JE/Design, Sh Nilesh Kumar, SSRE and Sh Prakash Kumar Ranjan, JRE/Design
who have carried out RSI studies for over 35 bridges on Indian railways and have done hundreds of trials
with different configurations with an aim to understand the phenomenon and to lay down these
guidelines is also commendable.
Feedback/ suggestions/ questions on issues regarding these guidelines may kindly be directed to
directorsteel2@gmail.com.
A K Dadarya
Executive Director/B & S
RDSO
Lucknow,
November 2015
Page 2/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................ 5
1.1 GENERAL...................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 ADAPTATION / MODIFICATION TO EXISTING RULES...................................................................... 5
1.3 RELEVANT CODES & STANDARDS ................................................................................................. 5
1.4 IMPORTANT POLICY DOCUMENTS ................................................................................................ 6
2.0 SCOPE .......................................................................................................................................... 7
3.0 GENERAL CONCEPTS .................................................................................................................... 7
3.1 INTERACTION PHENOMENON ...................................................................................................... 7
3.2 PARAMETERS AFFECTING RSI ....................................................................................................... 9
3.2.1 Expansion Length ......................................................................................................................... 9
3.2.2 Span Length ............................................................................................................................... 10
3.2.3 Bending Stiffness of Deck ........................................................................................................... 10
3.2.4 Deck Height & Rotation Distance................................................................................................ 10
3.2.5 Support Stiffness ........................................................................................................................ 10
3.2.6 Track Stiffness ............................................................................................................................ 11
3.2.7 Sectional Properties of Rails ....................................................................................................... 13
3.2.8 Temperature variations .............................................................................................................. 13
3.3 VERIFICATION OF TRACK AND BRIDGE CONFIGURATION THROUGH RSI COMPUTATIONS ........... 13
3.3.1 Additional Stresses in Rails ......................................................................................................... 14
3.3.2 Displacements of Bridge Elements.............................................................................................. 14
3.3.2.1 Longitudinal displacement of Deck due to movement of substructure ...................................... 14
3.3.2.2 Longitudinal displacement of Deck due to rotation of deck ......................................................... 15
3.3.2.3 Relative displacement between rail and deck or between rail and embankment ......................... 15
3.3.2.4 Vertical displacement of upper surface of deck with respect to adjoining structure..................... 15
4.0 STEPS IN CHECKING A STRUCTURE UNDER RSI ............................................................................ 16
4.1 CHOOSE REPRESENTATIVE STRETCH FOR RSI STUDY IN LONG VIADUCTS .................................... 16
4.2 VERTICAL TRAIN LOADS.............................................................................................................. 17
4.3 BRAKING AND TRACTIVE LOADS ................................................................................................. 18
4.4 LOAD FACTORS .......................................................................................................................... 18
4.5 STIFFNESS PARAMETERS OF STRUCTURE .................................................................................... 19
4.5.1 Pre-dimensioning of structure .................................................................................................... 19
4.5.2 Determining stiffness of sub structure ........................................................................................ 19
4.5.3 Determining stiffness of bearings. .............................................................................................. 19
4.6 ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................... 19
Page 3/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 4/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Paras 2.8.1(d) and 2.8.2.4.3 of Bridge Rules which UIC Leaflet 774-3R 2001 is the basic code on
were reintroduced/ modified in 2014 (Correction Slip which subsequent codes have evolved. The
no 45 which introduced this para is placed at UIC leaflet is based on earlier research on the
Appendix A). The clause 2.8.2.4.3 of Bridge Rules related phenomena. The leaflet describes
refers to UIC 774-3R for carrying out RSI till the forces methodology to be adopted for carrying out
due to continuation of LWR/CWR on bridges in Indian interaction studies, based upon numerical
conditions are finalized. This document explains methods that idealize the behavior of all the
methodology to be adopted to use UIC 774-3R for elements and actions involved for the
Indian Railways specific scenario. Also, certain computation of stresses and displacements.
aspects of RSI on which UIC 774-3R is silent have Specific clauses of other codes, wherever
been explained with references to provisions used, have been mentioned in the
available in other codes like European codes, Spanish commentary.
National codes or Korean codes etc. Data required for
RSI and example of RSI carried out by RDSO with
explanatory notes has been given at the end.
Page 5/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
assessment of the strength of existing bridges
(Bridge Rules)
UIC 774-3R October 2001: Track/Bridge
Interaction – Recommendations for calculations.
IRS Code Of Practice For Plain, Reinforced &
Prestressed Concrete For General Bridge
Construction (IRS Concrete Bridge Code, Reprint
Sept 2014)
UIC 776 2R: Design requirements for rail bridges
based on interaction phenomena between train,
track and bridge.
Korean Design Standard: Railway Design Manual
(Volume Track)
Eurocode 1: Actions on structures — Part 2:
Traffic loads on bridges (EN 1991-2 – 2003)
TCRP report 155, 2012: Track Design Handbook
for Light Rail Transit, second volume,
1.4 IMPORTANT POLICY DOCUMENTS C1.4
The following documents are important for RSI These policy documents are placed at
studies on bridges: Annexure A. The current policy position
A & C Slip No 45 to Bridge Rules. regarding LWR on bridges for Indian Railways
Policy letter no CT/IM/LWR/Part Dated is:
All ballasted deck bridges shall be
19/25.03.2014 issued by ED/Track-I/RDSO
designed for LWR effects.
regarding providing LWR on bridges on trial basis
for bridges upto 110 m length (individual spans Parameters for carrying out these studies
upto 24.4 m with fixed-free bearings and 45.7 for bridges on straight have been specified.
with elastomeric bearings) with the approval of For others, in the absence of these
PCE. parameters, the RSI studies cannot be
carried out hence LWR cannot be provided
Letter no CBS/Project/LWR Dated 05.09.2014
except by using other codes for which
issued by ED/B & S/RDSO which covers the
appropriate approval from railway Board
software to be procured and how the
shall be obtained.
infrastructure shall be created for starting the RSI
The LWR can be laid on trial for bridges
analysis work on Indian Railways.
upto 110 m length and individual spans
upto 24.4 m with fixed-free bearings and
45.7 with elastomeric bearings with the
approval of PCE.
For other bridges also, new bridges have to
be checked for RSI effects but provision of
LWR is not yet allowed.
Page 6/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
2.0 SCOPE C2.0
These guidelines explain the interaction The Rail-Structure Interaction phenomenon
phenomenon, parameters affecting RSI, provide originates from the fact that the bridge is
guidance on choosing representative stretches for moveable under thermal and live load effects
conducting RSI, methodology to be adopted for whereas the rails as part of LWR/CWR are not
carrying out RSI, special cases in RSI, use of computer free to move. This difference in movements
programs for carrying out RSI and options available induces stresses in rails/ bridge components
for modification in track if the RSI results indicate which need to be studied.
excessive stresses/ deformations.
These guidelines cover steel/concrete bridges with Different bearings/ bridge forms need to be
simply supported or continuous spans, on straight modelled such as to reflect their actual
alignment, both level as well as those on gradient, behaviour under the RSI phenomenon. In
having any type of bearings on Indian Railways. structures like cable stayed bridges, the
However, these guidelines do not cover the bridges flexibility of deck and non-linear response due
on curves or bridges with long/special spans such as to presence of cables supporting the deck
cable stayed bridges, Bow-string arch girders etc require more complex models that capture all
where the typical structural behaviour of spans phenomenon accurately. RDSO has no
affects RSI phenomenon requiring specialized studies experience presently with these models and
to be carried out or where span arrangement induces so these are beyond the scope of these
excessive movement in track which is beyond the guidelines. Similarly, for large movements in
capacity of a typical Switch Expansion Joint (SEJ) to track, specialized solutions are required to be
accommodate. worked out. These are site-specific solutions,
and track experts are required to study the
site conditions and design these
arrangements.
Page 7/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
bridge deck(s)/tracks, deflection of sub-structure stresses are required to be kept within
under tractive/ braking forces from the trains and allowable limits so that the track is safe under
the end rotations caused by vertical bending under tension as well as compression, and the bridge
vertical train loads. elements are to be proportioned to take all
The magnitude of these extra stresses in the CWR the loads. If the RSI study indicates extra
mainly depends on the stiffness of various elements stresses in rails beyond permissible limits,
of bridge, resistance offered by the track structure to these can be brought within limits by altering
deformation and the boundary condition of rails (i.e. either the stiffness of the structure and/or the
whether these are continuous or have expansion fixing arrangement of the rails to the bridge
joint(s) in between). The RSI describes the effects, structure and/ or introducing expansion joints.
under various loads, of structural collaboration of
rails and bridge by means of their connection
elements.
Page 8/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
conditions. There can be no formula to be directly
used to determine the stresses or deformations etc.
The results can be obtained by two ways: we can use
the charts given in the UIC 774-3R or we can model
the bridge, track and approaches and find out the
results using Finite Element Method based computer
programs which try to solve the non-linear problem
through convergence of results through iterations.
The relative stiffness’s of different elements like
track, deck, sub structure and bearings play
important role in determining the results. The
designer has to change the stiffness’s/ arrangement
to optimize the performance and costs.
3.2 PARAMETERS AFFECTING RSI Before start of RSI study, data on bridge and
LWR shall be available at hand. Complete list
of data required for the same is given in
Appendix B.
Page 9/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
be referred to determine expansion length for
different types of support configurations
commonly adopted in bridges.
Page 10/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
A major source of interaction phenomenon is the The effects of longitudinal loads on the
stiffness (or, more correctly, flexibility) of bridge substructure is described in clause 1.3.2.2 of
supports under longitudinal actions (braking/tractive UIC 774-3R 2001. The stiffness of the sub
loads and temperature variations). The longitudinal structure, Kpier = H/Σδi where δi is the
stiffness of sub structure depends on stiffness of deflection of sub structure due to:
individual components viz, foundation, sub structure 1. Displacement due to elastic
and bearing. Stiffness of different parts should be deformation of sub structure.
combined to get total stiffness Ktotal as follows: 2. Displacement due to rotation of
1 1 1 support.
= +
K K K 3. Displacement due to longitudinal
where Kpier is stiffness of each sub-structure movement of foundation.
(pier/abutment) and Kbearing is stiffness of bearing. All the above displacements have to be
Kpier has further components as described in figure worked out at the top of bearing level. While
below: computing stiffness, for sustained
temperature loading analysis, long-term
Young’s modulus shall be used, whereas for
the short-term effects of braking and tractive
loading, instantaneous modulus shall be used.
Young’s modulus should be determined as
per IRS-CBC-1999 and the Young’s modulus
for long term effect is normally taken as half
the Young’s modulus for short term.
a) b) c)
Longitudinal displacement of deck due to a) Elastic deformation
of sub structure, b) Rotation of foundation and c) Longitudinal
movement of foundation.
Page 11/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
40 kN/m
A note for capturing this behaviour by computer The implementation of connector elements
programs: The behavior of track under longitudinal representing ballast/ fasteners in the
Page 12/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
forces is quite complex. When the direction of interaction phenomenon causes many other
displacement changes, the ballast behavior becomes complications, including that activation and
elastic again, but the relative displacement from deactivation of elements is a function of the
sliding is not recovered. Any computer program to presence of train load. These cannot be
be used for carrying out RSI studies shall be capable realized in many engineering FEM programs
of capturing this behaviour realistically as per actual commercially available. This aspect needs to
behaviour in field. be examined before an FEM program is
chosen/approved for carrying out RSI analysis.
Page 13/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
COMPUTATIONS
Parameters to be verified during RSI studies are The combined response of track and structure,
the following: as studied by RSI, can have unfavorable effects
on either the bridge structure or the rails.
Design/ layout/ dimensions of the bridge or
the track configuration may have to be
changed to keep these unfavorable effects
within limits.
Page 14/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
tractive/braking loads through RSI studies, shall not deformation in the track plinth due to which
exceed: proper performance of track cannot be
- 5 mm in case CWR runs through one or both ensured. This limit also indirectly controls the
ends of the bridge. rail stresses.
- 30 mm in case of bridge with jointed track/ If the deck movement worked out as per RSI
comes to be more than permissible, the
expansion devices.
options are either to discontinue LWR/CWR
on the bridge by providing SEJs on either
approach (and provide jointed track on
bridge), or to provide switch expansion joint at
one or both ends of the girders. As per clause
2.8.2.4.4 of Bridge Rules, the option (Of not
providing LWR on bridge or providing LWR
with one or more SEJ(s)) shall be as per
approval of Principal Chief Engineer of the
zonal railway.
Page 15/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
deck in relation to the adjacent structural elements of discomfort for the passengers and this has
also needs to be checked. UIC 774-3R 2001 does not to be limited based on the speed of train
specify any limits for this and leaves the same to the operations.
concerned authorities to decide. These limits have As per clause 6.5.4.5.2 of EN 1991 – 2003 part
not specified in Bridge Rules and this check may not 2, the maximum vertical displacement shall be
be performed normally for bridges on Indian 3 mm for maximum speeds upto 160 km/h,
Railways. However, where higher speed trains are and 2 mm for maximum speeds greater than
moving, the values as per EN codes may be used. 160 km/h.
Page 16/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
In addition to complete stretch evaluation, any
special spans (special from span length, sub
structure height, span type etc considerations)
should be evaluated in a standalone analysis. 100 m track length (whether on viaduct or
The stretches taken up for RSI study must include embankment) on either side of the viaduct/
minimum 100 m track (whether on viaduct or stretch/span of interest has been specified
embankment) beyond the stretch/span/location since this length is required to anchor the
of interest. rails and to dissipate the longitudinal forces.
As per para 1.7.3 of UIC 774-3R “The model
shall also include a part of the track on the
adjacent embankments over at least
100m.”
Page 17/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
analysis. effects.
4. For bridges with uniform spans, the UDL shall be Another benefit of using the UDLs is that
applied at one end of span and moved by 1/10th of the loads need not be placed at close
span in each increment. If dis-similar spans are there, intervals to capture the peak response. It
the increment shall be worked out such that has been found that placing load at
beginning of load is placed at each end of span (i.e. on beginning of span and increment by 1/10th
each pier and abutment). of span captures the peak behavior. It is
4. If the bridge is symmetric, UDL loads given above important to capture the full span loaded
may be run in one direction only. But if the bridge is case in addition to part span loaded cases.
assymetric in span configuration or in stiffness of the
bridge elements, the UDL loads shall be run in both the
directions.
Page 18/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
simply supported as well as continuous spans.
Page 19/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
conditions. It may be noted, however, that
the results obtained using these rules are
generally conservative.
Page 20/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
properly.
c) The longitudinal behaviour of the track-deck Capturing the non-linear behaviour of
connection shall be modelled as a bi-linear spring connection between rail elements and deck
which can capture load/displacement relation elements is the most important and
involved part of modeling for RSI and
similar to that illustrated in clause 3.2.6 above.
deserves close attention from the design
Separate springs shall be used for loaded and engineer.
unloaded elements.
d) In some cases, it is possible to replace the
mentioned elements by a connection of equivalent
stiffness to that of the foundation/column/support
group.
e) The maximum element length shall not exceed 2 m.
f) An example of RSI study done by RDSO using Equivalent model of girder
software LUSAS Bridge Plus explaining all steps is
placed at Appendix E.
Page 21/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
stiffness for rapid acting loads. In case of marginal analysis is illustrated graphically as below:
cases, exact analysis can be performed
The results are then combined by superposing the
results of train load case on the results from thermal
load case. The error arises in this case because there is
an apparent increase in the resistance of the ballast
due to ignoring the resistance already mobilized by the
track for the thermal loading while considering the
train loading. This results in an assumption of greater
yielding load for track than the actual curve. Results
of this approach give higher stresses in the rails and
slightly lower substructure deflections and reactions.
In complete analysis, first step is application of
thermal loading similar to simplified analysis using the
Unloaded stiffness curve. In second step, however,
train loading is applied on the results obtained from
the first step. In this case, longitudinal resistance of
ballast is taken from Loaded stiffness curve and is
limited by the Limit of resistance of loaded track. In
this case, there is no overestimation of the track
resistance.
Page 22/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
Therefore, following proper track maintenance referred.
guidelines is very important for LWR on ballastless
bridges.
Page 23/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
L = Radial Length
n = number of tracks
R = Radius of Rail Curve
5.1.3 Allowable additional stresses in rails C 5.1.3 For information of the reader, allowable
The allowable additional stresses in rails for curved additional stresses in rails for curved alignment
track cannot be the same as those for straight track. have been specified in the Korean Design
These have to be separately studied and specified by Standard: Railway Design Manual (Volume
the track design engineers. No values for allowable Track), enumerated below:
stresses for curved track have been specified for For Ballasted Track: To allow for the lower
Indian Railways so far and hence it is not possible to stability of track on curved alignment which is
carry out the RSI studies for curved ballasted track as subject to lateral loads from trains:
yet. The permissible additional Compressive stresses
on account of RSI shall not exceed:
For R≥1500 : 72 N/mm2
For 1500>R≥700 : 58 N/mm2
For 700>R≥600 : 54 N/mm2
For 600>R≥300 : 27 N/mm2
The permissible additional Tensile stresses on
account of RSI shall not exceed: 92 N/mm2
For Ballastless Track: Since the load is taken by
fasteners, which can be designed for the load
actually coming and there is no problem of
stability, the permissible additional Tensile as
well as Compressive stresses on account of RSI
shall not exceed: 92 N/mm2. However, the
fasteners in this case need to be checked for
additional stresses.
Page 24/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
distribution of stresses in rails in RSI studies as the arrangement are not yet available for Indian
stiffness turnout structure is much more as compared Railways and the consequently CWR are not
with the normal track. When CWR (continuous welded passed through the turnouts on Indian Railways.
rail) is continued through a turnout on viaduct, RSI
effects can cause movements/thermal stresses which
may cause damage to anti-creep arrangement
between the straight tongue rail and stock rail.
The obvious option available is to redesign the bridge Making elements stiffer might not always be
elements to make the girders and/or sub-structure stiffer. good from other considerations like seismic
However, if this is not required from other structural loads. This balance also has to be stuck by the
Page 25/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
reasons, making structure stiffer only for RSI effects might bridge designer.
be uneconomical. RSI effects can also be controlled by
adopting any of the following measures individually or in
combination. The decision in this regard shall be taken on
techno-economic considerations, which shall be a joint
decision of track and viaduct design engineers.
The decision of providing SEJ in track shall be taken SEJs are generally undesirable from the point
jointly by the bridge designers and the track maintenance of view of track maintenance. These shall be
engineers. The decision shall be taken on techno-economic provided only where unavoidable, and after
considerations. On Indian Railways, this decision shall be consultation with the track design engineers.
taken be approved by Principal Chief Engineer of the zonal
railway as per clause 2.4.2.4.4 of Bridge Rules.
Another method to modify the behaviour of LWR on The locations where low toe load fasteners
bridge is to change the behaviour of track under loads. Low are to be provided shall be clearly identifiable
toe load fasteners are special fasteners having reduced slip in field and appropriate maintenance
resistance on rails. These alter the track stiffness curve, thus instructions shall be issued for ensuring that
Page 26/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
PROVISIONS COMMENTARY
ensuring more movement of rails. This can relieve stresses these are not disturbed/ replaced by improper
in rails. However, adequate care needs to be exercised that fasteners during maintenance activities.
the reduction in clamping force on rail does not jeopardize
the stability of rail.
These are required to be provided, for example, in long Such long spans may also require more
spans where the thermal stresses built up in the rails or movement of rails than can be accommodated
rotation of deck might induce large stresses, especially near in the conventional SEJs. For this, special
the ends of spans. To remedy this situation, the low toe arrangements which can permit large
load fasteners may be provided in small stretches near the movement in track need to be designed and
supports. The toe load required and lengths upto which provided.
these need to be provided shall be designed taking different
field scenarios of thermal and train loads into account.
-0-0-0-0-
Page 27/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 28/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 29/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 30/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 31/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 32/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 33/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 34/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 35/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 36/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 37/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 38/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 39/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 40/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 41/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
1. Bridge Details:
a Bridge Number.
b Location of Bridge
c Section
d Between Stations
2. Span details: Complete drawings shall be available, having the following details
a No. of spans in the Bridge.
b Span Lengths: Clear span, effective Span, overall length of each of the spans.
c Type of Girder: I-type (single I, Double I , four I) , BOX, U - type etc.
d Location of Rails: The location of rails w.r.t. girder.
e C/C of Girder leaves: Center to center distance between girder leaves, no of girder leaves.
f Details of Material: Grade of concrete M45 , M35 , M30 , M25 etc, Grade of Steel etc.
g Properties of Material: Young's Modulus, Poisson’s Ratio ,Coefficient Of thermal expansion etc.
h Details of Different Cross-Sections: The cross-sections of girders at different locations including
height of different members, depth of neutral axis,
Note:
i. In RSI analysis, considering overall length of span in computations will be slightly
conservative. (Actually overall length shall be used for thermal effects and effective span for
bending of deck).
ii. For complete analysis, varying cross-section of girders at different locations can be
considered. For simplification, the cross-section at the middle only can be taken if the cross-
section in center is less than that the ends or an average of the cross-sections at canter/
ends if the cross-section at center is higher than that at ends may be taken.
3. Loading Details
RSI analysis shall be done for either standard loadings like 25T Loading 2008, MBG, RBG & DFC Loading
Or actual loads for which the section/bridge is fit (as per clause 2.8.2.4.3(a) of Bridge Rules) such as GC
Loading, CC+8+2 etc. EUDL charts shall be available which give the bending loads for different spans.
4. Track Details
a Type of track: Ballasted or non-ballasted
b Rail section: 60kg or 52kg etc.
c Rail Material properties: Young's Modulus, poisson’s Ratio, Coeff. Of thermal expansion.
d Track details: Height of sleepers, Depth of ballast cushion etc.
e Fastener Details: Sleeper density, type of fasteners.
f Location of SEJ, if any, within 100 m of either abutment.
g Curvature and gradient in track, if any.
5. Temperature Details
a Maximum rail temperature
b Minimum Rail Temperature
c Stress-Free temperature of LWR (Shall be maintained within ±50C, else RSI studies are required
to be done again).
Page 42/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
-0-0-0-0-
Page 43/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
The sub-structure deflects longitudinally under the bending effect of longitudinal loads. The
bending moment increases from top to bottom as the lever arm for bending increases, and the
deflection effects are also more for the lower portions of sub-structure. There are two usual types of
sub-structure encountered:
a) Gravity structures constructed with mass concrete or brick/stone masonary etc which
usually don’t develop any tension, or permit very little tension.
b) Reinforced concrete structures which can develop tension and reinforcement steel is
provided to take care of the same.
For non-cracked RCC or gravity structures, the deflection is easy to work out and requires the
bending moments and section modulus at different heights to be worked out.
The sub-structures are generally having non-uniform (tapered or stepped or both) sections, and
the deflection can worked out by modeling the sub-structure in some structural analysis software
which can model the tapered and stepped sections.
For cracked RCC structures, the problem is a bit complicated. The cracked depth of an RCC
structure depends on deformation of the structure. But since the deformation of structure depends on
the sectional modulus, which depends on the depth of cracking, the problem is an iterative one. The
deflection can be worked out by modifying the effective EI for the RCC structure using equation
6.6.4.4.4(b) of ACI 318M-14:
(0.2 ∗ ∗ + ∗ )
( ) =
1+
Where ( ) is the short term effective flexural stiffness of the cracked RCC section, N-mm2.
is Modulus of elasticity of concrete (short term), N/mm2
Page 44/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
2. Deflection of Open Foundations: The structures with open foundations deflect in two ways
under the effect of longitudinal loads. The foundation as a whole rotates and the foundation
translates under the effect of longitudinal load, as shown below:
a) b)
Page 45/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Design tip: The open foundations on Indian Railways are mostly allowed on rocks. In such cases, the
spring to be considered shall be very stiff. Even these values are not available. For such cases, RDSO
is using the values of spring stiffness given in the table no 3-2 at page no 409 in the Chapter-
“Special Footings And Beams On Elastic Foundations”, of book “Foundation Analysis And Design”,
by Joseph E. Bowles. For soft rock, the spring stiffness value given in the table for dense sand i.e.
128000 kN/mm is adopted presuming that the actual spring stiffness value will be higher for
rocks. For hard rock, this phenomenon can be considered negligible.
Care to be exercised: The values given above are not related to the soil properties like cohesion and
angle of internal friction etc. These values shall not be taken in case the open foundation is resting
on soil. For these cases, spring stiffness shall be taken from soil investigation carried out to work out
the same. Literature of geotechnical engineering may be referred on methods for working out spring
stiffness of soil.
Page 46/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
3. Deflection of Pile Foundations: The pile foundations deflect under longitudinal loads structures
through two actions, as figuratively shown below:
Deflection of pile under longitudinal loads; Axial Deformation of piles causing rotation of pile cap
under bending loads
The combined effect of the two effects is quite complicated and looks something like this:
However, for simplicity sake, without too much error, the two deflections can be worked out
independently and added up to get the required total deflection. These deflections can be worked
out individually as follows:
3.1 Bending of piles in longitudinal direction: The piles bend under longitudinal loads. If the pile is
socketed in rock, the deflection can take place about this fixed point. In most cases, piles are not resting
on rock, or there is considerable layer of soil between the rock level and scour level, and the bending of
piles takes place about a ‘point of fixity’ which develops by considering the soil as springs which
compress on one side and extend on other side under longitudinal loads, as shown below:
Page 47/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
The pile below the point of fixity does not bend or deflect under loads. This point of fixity is
below the point of maximum scour. The point of fixity shall be worked out as per paras C-4.1 and C-4.2
of Annexure C of IS 2911-2010 Part 1, Section 2. The following aspects may be seen:
i. The values for sand and normally loaded clays are very close to each other. The clays may
not be considered pre-loaded for most railway bridges in absence of detailed soil
properties being available.
ii. Railway bridges have group of piles with stiff pile cap on top, hence the piles shall be
considered to be fixed headed.
iii. The point of fixity shall be worked out as per para C-4.1 of the annexure mentioned above.
iv. The total deflection due to lateral deflection of piles shall then be worked out as per type
of soil between scour level and the fixity level.
3.2 Rotation of pile cap due to elastic deformation of piles under differential axial loads: Under
bending effects, the piles are subjected to compressive/ tensile loads depending on location
with respect to the neutral axis. The piles, consequently, axially deform, increasing in length if
subjected to tensile loads and shortening in length if compressive load is there. This change in
length gives rise to rotation of the pile cap which, in turn, rotates the sub-structure giving rise to
deformation at top of sub-structure. Procedure for working out this effect shall be as follows:
i. The ‘free-standing’ length of pile from bottom of pile cap to the point of fixity worked out
above is required to determine the change in length.
ii. Load on individual pile shall be worked out by considering the bending moment, location of
pile and the stiffness of pile group, using method similar to one used to determine the load
on individual rivets/ bolts in a group, as given below:
∗
=
∑
Where M = Bending moment at the pile cap level;
= Axial load in pile ;
xi = Distance of individual pile from the neutral axis; and
∑ = Summation of square of distances of all i piles from neutral axis.
iii. Rotation of pile cap can then be worked out by dividing the deflection of outermost pile by
the spacing.
4. Structures with Well Foundations: The structures on well foundation are resting on single or
multiple wells. Diameter of wells is generally quite high as compared to the piles. The principles
given below are for single wells (cross-section may be circular or D-shaped or double D-shaped
or multi-cellular etc) which are the most commonly used well-form on Indian Railways. Wells are
rigid and due to large size have appreciable bottom friction. Accordingly, it is recommended that
well shall be modelled with a support at the bottom, and supported by springs with stiffness
equal to difference between passive earth pressure and active earth pressure. (Refer book
“Theory And Practice Of Foundation Design” By M. N. Som, S. C. Das)
Page 48/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
-0-0-0-0-0-
Page 49/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Special Note: a) Some elastomeric bearing designs have special stoppers which convert one end of
girder to fixed while other end is free to move. The behaviour of these bearings needs to be seen and
appropriate decision about modelling needs to be taken. If the free end neoprene bearing stiffness is
to be considered, the stiffness shall be determined as per procedure given in para 3 below.
b) In case of phosphor bronze bearings, the phosphor bronze plate is provided at one
end of girder and the other side has steel to steel interface which is not greased. The friction in the
ungreased steel to steel interface is quite high and this end is virtually fixed. The other end has lower
coefficient of friction (0.15 as per clause 2.7.1 of Bridge rules). The coefficient of friction of phosphor
bronze end can be neglected, or considered as per procedure given in para 2 below, at the discretion
of designer carrying out the RSI analysis.
2. Expansion Bearings (Including sliding bearings): All structures have moving bearings at one end.
The movement can be permitted by steel to steel interface, or
through rollers, or through stainless steel on PTFE etc. Some
structures like plate girders have no fixed bearings and the girder
can move at both ends over sliding bearings. (The restraint is
provided by high coefficient of friction between the bearing and the
bed plate.)
Page 50/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 51/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
2. Span details:
a No. of spans: 11.
b Span Lengths: Clear span: 18.3 m, effective Span: 19.4 m, overall length: 19.775 m for all spans.
c Type of Girder: Steel I-RCC Composite girder.
d Location of Rails: At deck level.
e C/C of Girder leaves: 2.325 m; Total Depth: 1.75 m.
f Details of Material: Grade of steel: IS:2062 Grade B; RCC Deck: M30.
g Properties of Material:
Concrete (Short term) Steel
Young’s Modulus 28000 N/mm2 (Cl 5.2.2.1 of CBC) 2.1x105 N/mm2 (cl 3.8 of SBC)
Poisson’s ratio 0.2 0.3
Coeff. of Thermal expansion 1.08x10-5/0C 1.17x10-5/0C
Page 52/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
6. Bearings Details: Complete drawings shall be available, having the following details
a Type of bearing: Sliding bearings.
b No. of bearings per span: 2 in each end of girder.
c Details of Sliding Bearings or POT-PTFE bearings: Coefficient of Friction considered in design:
0.15 as per IRS Bridge Rules, vertical reaction on each bearing in Dead Load + Superimposed
dead load condition: 550.645 kN.
d Details of Sliding Bearings: 690 x 200 x 25 mm.
7. Sub-structure Details: Complete drawings shall be available, having the following details
a Type of Piers and abutments: RCC piers and abutments.
b Material of construction: Grade of concrete, Piers: M30; Bed Block: M30..
c Properties of Material: Young's Modulus, Poisson’s Ratio, Coeff. of thermal expansion etc.
M30 Fe 415
Young’s Modulus 28000 N/mm2 (Cl 5.2.2.1 of 2x105 N/mm2 (cl 4.5.3 of CBC)
CBC)
Poisson’s ratio 0.2 -
Coeff of Thermal expansion 1.08x10-5/0C (Assumed) -
Page 53/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
9. Flood Details:
a Rail Level: 356.801 m.
b Bottom of Girder: 354.029 m.
c High Flood Level: 343.2 m
d Bed level: 341.829 m.
e Scour Level: 335.951 m for piers, 338.951 m for abutments.
f Level at which rock/ non-erodible strata is there: 337.184 m to 333.507 m.
(2) Stiffness of Abutments A1 & A2: In this case, abutments are buried, thereby are quite well
restrained against movement under longitudinal train load, hence taken as fixed. If abutments are
not buried, stiffness can be calculated similar to the calculations done for piers as given below.
(3) Stiffness of piers (P1, P2, P3) with open foundations: To simplify the computations, open
foundations are considered supported vertically with soil springs and the effect of soil on sides of
foundation is neglected. This assumption is on safe side.
The stiffness of soil springs (ks) supporting open foundation vertically is taken as 128000 kN/mᶟ
(This soil Stiffness is for dense sand as on page no: 409 of foundation analysis and design “by
Joseph E Bowel’s Book .Normally open foundations are founded on hard strata/rock hence this
assumption is OK or on safe side. (See Para 2.1 (Design tip) of Appendix-C of these guidelines).
Page 54/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
(ii) Elastic deformation of piers (δ2): Modeling of piers P1, P2 & P3 was done by MIDAS CIVIL
software and 100 kN longitudinal force was applied at bearing level. If pier is of mass concrete, then
Ec given in IRS concrete bridge code is to be used. However, in this case, Pier is Reinforced Cement
Cocnrete and designed as cracked section. Ec is taken as per Formulae given in Para-1 of APPENDIX-
C and reinforcement details given above are taken. Data in this case is as follows:
(0.2 * Ec * Ig Es * Ise)
(EI) eff= = 8.92742E+16 mm2,
1 dns
Ig = bd3/12 = 5.39225E+12 mm4, Ec = 28000 N/mm2
Ise = Ast*r2, Ast = area of reinforcement used in pier; 112 no of 32ɸ bars have been used.
r= 1200 mm, ∴ Ise = 5.18573E+11 mm4.
Factor for cracked section= (EI) eff/EC*Ig =8.92742E+16/1.50983E+17=0.591286579
∴ Ec cracked = Ec * factor for cracked section, = 28000* 0.591286579=16556.02421 N/mm
As per modelling, elastic deformation per kN of longitudinal force For P1, δ2=3.18E-05 m, For P2,
δ2=3.64E-05 m, For P3, δ2=3.01E-05 m.
∴ Total deformation at bearing level per kN of longitudinal load:
For P1, δ = δ1 + δ2 = 5.87223E-06 + 3.18E-05 = 3.77E-05m = 0.0377mm; For P2, δ = 6.68686E-06 +
3.64E-05 = 4.31E-05 m = 0.0431 mm and and δ = 5.77006E-06 + 3.01E-05 = 3.53E-05 m = 0.0358
mm.
Finally stiffness for Piers P1, P2 &P3:
For P1= 1/δ = 1/0.0377 = 26.53 kN/mm.
For P2= 1/δ = 1/0.0431 = 23.21 kN/mm.
For P3= 1/δ = 1/0.0358 = 27.90 kN/mm.
(4) Stiffness of piers (P4, P5, P6, P10) with pile foundation, 5 piles: These piers are all similar and
same stiffness can be used for all of these. Using procedure given in Appendix C Para 3 of this
guidelines:
(i) d1=deflection due to rotation of pile cap due to bending moment=h*φ
Where,
h=Lever Arm for Bending Moment=12.129m
Page 55/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Page 56/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
(5) Stiffness of piers (P7, P8, P9) with pile foundation, 7 piles:
These piers are all similar and same stiffness can be used for all of these.
(i) d1=deflection due to rotation of pile cap due to bending moment=hφ
Where,
h= Lever Arm for Bending Moment = 12.129m
φ = tan-1 {P*h*(e+Lf)/(A*E*∑x2)} = 7.42134E-05 radian.
All other values are same as above for P4, P5, P6 and P10, except
∑x2 = Summation of square of distances for all piles from neutral axis=3*(3/2)2=4.5 m2
= No of piles per row*(C/C distance between piles longitudinally/2)2
d1 = 12.129*07.42134E-05=0.900 mm
(ii) d2=deflection of pile due to lateral load on pile group,
The values are same except:
Free standing length of piles is taken not below rock level + 0.5 m as rock can’t scour more
than this level
=4.649 m + 5.25 m = 9.899 m or 4.649 + 335.951 – 335.607 + 0.5 = 5.49m. i.e. 5.49 m
Using the above value, and formula given above d2 = 0.141 mm
(iii) d3= Deflection of pier due to elastic deformation under bending effect 10t longitudinal load
These piers are similar to P4, P5, P6 and P10. Same modelling is applicable and d3=0.001864 mm
Total deflection d= d1+d2+d3 =0.900+0.141+0.001864 1.043 mm
Stiffness of P4=P5=P6=P10= (P/d) =10*9.81/1.043 94.07 kN/mm
Page 57/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
(v) Longitudinal load intensity (TE) for (40-∞) =0.00kN/m,The span is only 19.775m and TE will
govern single span as well as double span loaded conditions, hence BF case not required to
be run. For larger span both cases needs to be run separately.
(vi) Location Increment for each Analysis = span/10 = 19.775/10 = 1.9775m as per note 4 of
para 4.2 of these guidelines.
(vii) Number of Track Loading Locations=(total length of bridge/location increment for each
analysis) + 1 = 111
For easy understanding, screenshot of LUSAS spreadsheet with data input is given below.
Amount
For
Deck Temperature 31
Temperature
Number of
Track Loading
Locations 111
Parametri Parametri Starting Finishing
Track Amoun Location
c Starting c End Location of Location
Selection t (per Loaded Incremen
For Loading Type Position Position Loading for of Loading
to be unit Length t for each
Rails for for First for Last
Loaded length) Analysis
Loadings Loadings Analysis Analysis
Vertical1 1 188 200 182.91 12 0 217.525 1.9775
Vertical2 1 0 188 91 188 0 217.525 1.9775
Acceleration1 1 188 200 -47 12 0 217.525 1.9775
Acceleration2 1 160 188 -18 28 0 217.525 1.9775
12. Track stiffness to be considered: As per Para 3.2.6 of the guidelines, the plastic resistance for
ballasted track is:
Unloaded condition = 25 kN/m/mm.
Loaded condition = 50 kN/m/mm.
Limit for elastic deformation 2 mm.
13.Properties of rails to be considered:
For 52 kg UIC rail, from LUSAS BRIDGE PLUS software modeling done and data collected.
Eccentricit
A Iyy Izz J Asy Asz Description
y
0.012842 0.009839 3.9297E- 0.009836 0.011306 0.005375 Track with 2
9 49 05 15 2 2 0 UIC 52 kg Rails
E ν α Description
210000 0.3 1.17E-05 52 kg Rails 90 UTS
Page 58/59
RDSO Guidelines for carrying Out Rail Structure Interaction studies on Indian Railways. BS 114
Results: With above data input, the results obtained from LUSAS are summarized as follows. (It is seen
that the bridge passes from RSI considerations.)
Tempe- COMBINED Only
Permissi OK or Reference For
rature (Temp. + Train Unit
ble Value NOT permissible value
Only Loading) Loading
MAX. Horizontal
Displacement Of
UIC 774-3R, Cl.-
1 Deck (Under = 5.40 9.60 4.20 5.00 mm OK
longitudinal loads 1.7.2, No SEJ
only)
Max. Relative
Displacement
UIC 774-3R, Cl.-
2 Between Rail & Slab = 3.570 4.348 0.78 4.00 mm OK
(Under longitudinal 1.7.2
loads only)
Additional Tensile As Per IRC –
Axial Stress in Rail Bridge Rules
3 due to RSI
= 15.77 36.53 60.00 MPa OK
para 2.8.2.4.3,
Effects(MPa)
CS-45
Additional As Per IRC –
Compressive Axial Bridge Rules
4 Stress in Rail due to
= 16.42 49.80 50.00 MPa OK
para 2.8.2.4.3,
RSI Effects(MPa)
CS-45
Max. Deck End 2.543
5 Rotation
= 7.91E-05 0.0003 m
E-04
Height Of CG From
6 Rail Level
= 1.3340 m
Max. Displacement
UIC 774-3R, Cl.-
7 Of Deck End Due To = 0.34 8.00 mm OK
Rotation 1.7.3
UIC 774-3R, Cl.-
1.7.2,
Permissible
Max Vertical Value Not Given
8 Displacement Of = 0.02 mm 3.00 mm OK In IRS Bridge
Deck End Rules. It is 3 mm
as per para
3.3.2.4 of RSI
guidelines
Other Results Of Modelling
Max Relative
Displacement
9 Between Rail &
= 3.570 4.348 4.35 mm
Track
Bending Moment In
10 Deck
= 5938.21 kN.m
Peak Longitudinal
11 Reaction On = 503.33 kN
Abutment (N)
Max. Shear Force In
12 Deck
= 1470.95 kN
Max. Shear Force In
13 Track
= 526.41 kN
-0-0-0-0-0-
Page 59/59