ABSTRACT
Abrupt stiffness changes encountered in the transition zone lead to an accelerated deterioration of track components and passenger discomfort, eventually leading to an increase in maintenance cost and hindering smooth railway functioning. This paper aims to understand the major causes and analyse countermeasures deployed at the railway transition zone. The present study covers the chronological advancement made in the study of transition zone using numerical, analytical, and experimental models. As field experiments require significant investments in terms of instrumentation and setup, the numerical and analytical approaches have become popular among practising engineers. Along with understanding the present state of work, this paper explores the various loading techniques simulated with the help of a Finite Element Model to understand the details of carrying out such numerical experiments. A simple bridge embankment system is modelled to understand the suitability of the method of loading serving a particular purpose.
