Analyzing the Influence of Soil-Structure Interaction on High-Speed Rail Embankments: A Plaxis 3D Simulation Study

Abstract

The introduction of high-speed rail (HSR) in India has seen an increase in travel demand and a
reduction in travel time. However, the stability and deformation characteristics of railway
embankments and soil structure interaction behavior under high-speed design requirements for
Indian soil conditions need to be predicted using simplified 3-D finite element modelling. The
objective of this research is to analyze the rigid ballast-less and flexible ballast-based high-speed rail
track embankments for various critical conditions using software. These conditions include static
condition, moving train condition, sudden brake application, and derailment case. The study
considers input parameters such as soil type, thickness of the relevant strata, unit weight, young’s
modulus, Poisson’s ratio, undrained cohesion, friction angle, dilatancy angle, modulus of subgrade
reaction, design speed, and other relevant data. The guidelines of Eurocode 1, Eurocode 7, Eurocode
3, NHSRCL feasibility report are followed in this study. The analysis aims to predict the stability and
deformation characteristics of railway embankments and soil structure interaction behavior for
Indian soil conditions under high-speed design requirements. The results of this study will aid in
designing safe and efficient high-speed rail tracks in India. Overall, this research provides valuable
insights into the design and construction of HSR tracks, and the study's findings can contribute to the
advancement of transportation infrastructure in India.