Calculation of the dynamic response of a viscoelastic railway structure based on a quasi-stationary approach

A semi-analytical method has been developed for computing the dynamic response of railways composed of viscoelastic layers under moving loads. One of the aims of this new approach is to be able to simulate railways incorporating asphalt materials. These materials are increasingly used or highly considered for construction projects. We have modeled the mechanical behavior of bituminous mixes with the Huet–Sayegh thermo-sensitive viscoelastic law that is specifically intended for such materials. This method, implemented in a numerical program, is based on a quasi-stationary approach, so that time is not a specific factor in the solution. The required calculation time is therefore small, for the convenience of parametric studies. The capability of this method is proved with a numerical example that provides several validation points and illustrates at the same time the temperature effect on the response of a railway including an asphalt layer.