• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.373-384
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• 2024

In this study, a novel mountain train system was developed that can run along a steep gradient of 180 ‰ and sharp curve with a minimum radius of 10 m. For this novel mountain train, an embedded precast concrete rack rail track was implemented to share the track with an automobile road and increase constructability in mountainous regions. The embedded rack rail track is connected to a hydraulically stabilized base (HSB) layer with shear anchors, which must have sufficient longitudinal resistance because they bear most of the traction forces originated from the rack rail and longitudinal loads owing to the steep gradient. In addition, the damage to the shear anchor parts, including the surrounding concrete, must be strictly limited under the service load because the maintenance of shear anchors inside the track is extremely difficult after installation. In this study, the focus was made on the shear anchor behavior and design an embedded rack rail track, considering the serviceability and ultimate limit states. Accordingly, the design loads for mountain trains were established, and the serviceability criteria of the anchor were proposed. Subsequently, the resistance and damage of the shear anchors were evaluated and analyzed based on the results of several finite element analyses. Finally, the design method of the shear anchors for the embedded rack rail track was established and verified.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.394-399
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• 2005

Embedded rail track can be described as a track structure that is completely covered within pavement. Rail supported continually on a concrete slab or concrete plinth. There are many kinds of types such as non-resilient track and resilient track, super resilient embedded track (floating slab). Embedded rail track is generally the standard for light rail transit routes because this track has many advantages such as reducing noise, maintenance cost and weight of track. In this paper, decision of track profile is restricted by the optimum levels of the flangeway and the gap between the rail head and the pavement surface of depressing tread zone. By result of this study, embedded rail track can reduce corrosion of rail, internal stress and rail deflection.

• Magazine of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.44-47
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• 2013

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.406-411
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• 2011

An active application of tram is being expected in Korea in the near future. For the tram operation in urban area, the embedded rail tracks where rails are completely embedded with pavements is required. When the embedded rail track is constructed on fine-grained subgrade soil, excessive cumulative plastic settlements due to repetitive tram road may occur. In this study, repetitive load tests were carried out to evaluate the accumulative plastic settlements of subgrade soils underneath embedded rail tracks. Two real-scale track specimens of 5 m lengths were constructed considering the maximum cant of a curved line. Repetitive tram loads of three million times were applied to the tracks in 5 Hz frequency. The accumulating patterns of plastic settlements were analyzed. Tram load distributing effects of the concrete slabs were also evaluated using the measured data of earth pressures cells that were installed underneath track. Also the measured settlements were compared with the estimated settlements calculated from an existing experimental equations, and its validity is discussed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.717-724
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• 2017

To improve the running safety of a tram operating on a concrete embedded track, a bogie, the core system of the tram, was developed and fabricated. After it was integrated with the prototype car body, a short distance track with a sharp curve and steep gradient was constructed for the test operation. A formula to check the interference of the wheel flange with the track during running was proposed. Based on the results provided by the formula, the track was designed. Another simple formula was derived to estimate the derailment quotient and the wheel unloading ratio. During running on the track, the acceleration of the car body was measured and the interface status between the wheel and the track was monitored by a video system. According to the results calculated by these simple formulas, the derailment quotient and wheel unloading ratio were estimated to be within the safety criteria. In the actual test, no derailment occurred and the measured acceleration satisfied the criteria. Also, there was no interference between the wheel and track. The video monitoring results showed no signs of derailment, such as the climbing of the wheel. The pinion in the center showed good running safety, contacting smoothly with the rack. The measurements of environmental noise proved that the criteria were satisfied.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.503-510
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• 2020

Eco-friendly mountain railways operate on concrete rack tracks embedded on existing sharp curved and steep roads to preserve the environment in mountainous areas. Owing to the narrow roads, single lines are inevitable, and many branches are required. In branches, previous switchers and heating devices cannot be applied, because of the limited spacing for the rack and the slow removal of thick ice. To solve these problems, a switch and a heating device have been developed. The switcher changes the line by moving the block of concrete track with hydraulic actuators. The lack of discontinuity reduces the derailment risk and makes locking simple. The heating device uses high frequency induction coils to increase the efficiency and melt the thick ice rapidly. The prototype switcher and heating device were produced and operated to prove their performance. The heating device yielded a 10 times greater efficiency than the previous one. The switcher and heating device are the essential core technologies for the operation of mountain trams in winter and contribute to the spread of mountain railways to domestic or foreign resort areas by enhancing safety and efficiency. In addition, they can provide transportation rights to local residents in poor winter traffic, and bring about tourism and local economic growth.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.6788-6798
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• 2015

In recent high speed rail way, the operating speed of train is enhanced and the introduction of EMU train vehicles is increased. In addition, as expected the demand of the concrete slab track and the trend of design cross-section reduction, the clear behavior of evaluation of internal slab layer is demanded about the variation of design load and speed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and identify the mechanical behavior pattern of concrete slab track and track-road bed with the variation of axle load and train speed. To this end, the behavior of TCL and HSB was evaluated in according to the variation of axle load and speed. And the analysis results and the data measured TCL strain sensor, which was embedded in TCL slab under installation on Honam high speed railway, was analyzed. The analysis result shows that the strain are increasing in according to the speed-up of train, and line regression was obtained from measured data. Analysis data of the state of bonding condition of slab layer and measured data was analyzed. It is conducted that the TCL layer stress of HEMU 430X, which of axle load, is lighter was similar to the stress of KTX-Honam, the standard deviation of measured stress is dramatically increased.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.11-20
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• 2022

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the applicability of the shear wave tomography technology as a non-destructive testing method to evaluate the debonding between the track concrete layer (TCL) and the hydraulically stabilized based course (HSB) of concrete slab tracks for the Korea high-speed railway system. A commercially available multi-channel shear wave measurement device (MIRA) is used to evaluate debonding defects in full-scaled mock-up test specimen that was designed and constructed according to the Rheda 200 system. A part of the mock-up specimen includes two artificial debonding defects with a length and a width of 400mm and thicknesses of 5mm and 10mm, respectively. The tomography images obtained by a MIRA on the surface of the concrete specimens are effective for visualizing the debonding defects in concrete. In this study, a simple image processing method is proposed to suppress the noisy signals reflected from the embedded items (reinforcing steel, precast sleeper, insert, etc.) in TCL, which significantly improves the readability of debonding defects in shear wave tomography images. Results show that debonding maps constructed in this study are effective for visualizing the spatial distribution and the depths of the debondiing defects in the railway concrete slab specimen.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.270-280
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• 2014

In this study, to examine the causes of cracks in continuously reinforced concrete tracks (CRCTs) and the main factors affecting cracking, a field survey on the status of cracks and crack patterns in the Gyeong-bu high speed line was conducted, and the crack patterns of CRCT due to the temperature difference between the top of the slab (TCL) and the bottom of the subbase (HSB) and the drying shrinkage of concrete were predicted by a nonlinear finite element model considering the structure of CRCT. The results of the numerical analysis show that cracks will be developed at the interface between the sleeper and the TCL, and under the sleeper due to the temperature difference and concrete shrinkage. This corresponds well to the crack locations found in the field. Also, it is found that the most significant factors are the coefficient of thermal expansion with respect to the temperature difference, and the drying shrinkage strain with respect to shrinkage. According to the results, the reinforcement ratio should be carefully determined considering the structures of CRCT because the crack spacing is not always proportional to the reinforcement ratio due to the sleepers embedded in the TCL.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.515-524
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• 2022

The turnout system of the sleeper floating tracks (STEDEF) on urban transit is a Anti-vibration track composed of a wooden sleeper embedded in a concrete bed and a sleeper resilience pad under the sleeper. Therefore, deterioration and changes in spring stiffness of the sleeper resilience pad could be cause changes in sleeper support conditions. The damage amount of manganese crossings that occurred during the current service period of about 21 years was investigated to be about 17% of the total amount of crossings, and it was analyzed that the damage amount increased after 15 years of use (accumulated passing tonnage of about 550 million tons). In this study, parameter analysis (wheel position, sleeper support condition, and dynamic wheel load) was performed using a three-dimensional numerical model that simulated real manganese crossing and wheel profile, to analyze the damage type and cause of manganese crossing that occurred in the actual field. As a result of this study, when the voided sleeper occurred in the sleeper around the nose, the stress generated in the crossing nose exceeded the yield strength according to the dynamic wheel load considering the design track impact factor. In addition, the analysis results were evaluated to be in good agreement with the location of damage that occurred in the actual field. Therefore, in order to minimize the damage of the manganese crossing, it is necessary to keep the sleeper support condition around the nose part constant. In addition, by considering the uniformity of the boundary conditions under the sleepers, it was analyzed that it would be advantageous to to replace the sleeper resilience pad together when replacing the damaged manganese crossing.