Citation

Ahmad A, Lytton RL, Olson RM. Transp. Res. Rec. 1979; 733: 28-36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper presents a computerized design system for a highway-railroad grade-crossing foundation. The design criterion used is the permanent differential deformation between the railroad track and the adjacent highway pavement. This design criterion is related to two performance criteria: dynamic-load profile and roughness index (which is a measure of the ride roughness experienced by a vehicle passing over the grade crossing). The effect of the permanent differential deformation on increasing highway dynamic load is included in the computer program, as is the increase in dynamic railway wheel loads. Characteristic properties of materials, including the effects of environmental factors (such as temperature and suction), on subgrade material properties are considered. The computer program calculates the permanent differential deformation (the design criterion) caused by repetitive wheel loads during a design period for both highway and railway traffic. The number of wheel-load repetitions (to serve a design period) for highway and railway traffic are considered separately in the calculations; therefore, this design system can handle any combination of high and low volumes in railway and highway traffic. Design examples are included.