A finite element-based vehicle-track coupling element for analysing the vertical dynamic response of the railway track under a moving train is proposed in this paper. The multi-body vehicle model used has ten degrees of freedom and consists of four wheelsets, rigid bodies, and a two-stage suspension. The track structure is modelled with two layers and includes rails, rail fastenings, sleepers, ballast, and subgrade. The equations of motion for the coupling element are derived in matrix form using the energy method.
This element can be used to analyse the dynamic response of the coupling system with a moving train on a railway track on subgrade and can also analyse the response with a train running over a railway bridge. Two examples to illustrate the use of the element are given in the paper.
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