ABSTRACT
The railway track foundation is subjected to static, cyclic, and dynamic loadings. Understanding and quantifying the load environment, and how wheel loads are transmitted from the wheel-rail interface to the track foundation, are essential for the design and remediation of track and subgrade. Load characteristics and considerations can vary widely between a railway track with heavy haul freight and one with high-speed passenger operations. Transference of wheel loads to the track foundation depends on the static, cyclic, and dynamic nature of wheel loads. Furthermore, stiffness and damping properties of track substructure materials affect how wheel loads are dissipated through the depth of the track foundation.
