A test rig to investigate slab track structures for controlling ground vibration

This paper describes a test rig developed within the CONVURT research project in an attempt to bridge the gap between bench top tests on individual components and full-scale installation on service track. A large test rig has been constructed based on three 2.5 m long full-scale floating track slab elements. These can be directly connected to the base slab, or resiliently supported. Two 12 m long rails are attached to the slab elements with different fastener systems that can provide a wide range of stiffness values. The track can be pre-loaded, and the protruding ends of the rail are damped to reduce end reflections. The primary purpose of the test rig is to measure the dynamic properties of a range of different floating slab and direct fixation fastening systems. A mathematical track model has been used to extract dynamic parameters of the resilient elements in the systems, which are then used to predict performance in track.