Comparison of performance of concrete and steel sleepers using experimental and discrete element methods

• Concrete and steel railway sleepers were tested.
• Experimental and Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) approaches were used.
• Experimental tests comprise box test and large scale railway tests.
• Realistic and idealised DEM models were used.
• Both approaches showed consistent results.

Experimental and numerical discrete element analyses have been performed to investigate trackbed behaviour for concrete mono-block and steel sleepers. For the laboratory and numerical approaches considered, ballast settlement as well as ballast-subgrade interface pressure is measured. Consideration is also given to the steel sleeper installation process by the comparison of a statically driven steel sleeper to a “wished-in-place” configuration.