Experiment and DEM Analysis of Lateral Resistance of Glued Ballast

Lateral resistance data were obtained through a field experiment in a high-speed railway to reveal the working mechanism of the lateral resistance of glued ballast. The change characteristics of the lateral resistance of the glued ballast were analysed. Moreover, a three-dimensional discrete element model was established by PFC3D. The contact force and stress of the glued ballast were also statistically analysed. The results show that the lateral resistance of the glued ballast is significantly improved, and its value is 4.6 times of the standard value of the ballast bed. The ballast can maintain a good force state under its high-lateral resistance state. The maximum value of the contact force between the sleeper and the ballast is 1.2 KN, and the average value is 112.48 N. When the whole section is bonded, a depth range of 26 cm must be ensured to be fully and uniformly bonded to ensure the bonding effect. Compared with the ballast bed, the sharing ratio of the lateral resistance significantly varies in different glued ballast positions. Furthermore, the lateral resistance of the glued ballast is mainly shared by the sleeper side, followed by the sleeper bottom and the shoulder with a sharing ratio of approximately 63%, 24%, and 13%, respectively.