Mechanistic Approach for Predicting Total Permanent Deformation in Conventional and Asphalt-Based Railway Track Systems

Setiawan, Dian M.; Rosyidi, Sri Atmaja P.; Rahmawati, Anita; Syarif, Firman; Hermawan, Miko

doi:10.22059/ceij.2026.399960.2358

Mechanistic Approach for Predicting Total Permanent Deformation in Conventional and Asphalt-Based Railway Track Systems

Articles in Press

Authors

Dian M. Setiawan ¹

Sri Atmaja P. Rosyidi ¹

Anita Rahmawati ¹

Firman Syarif ²

Miko Hermawan ¹

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta

² Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Islam Riau

10.22059/ceij.2026.399960.2358

Abstract

The rail track must provide a stable and well-aligned path for trains, with each component performing its function effectively. However, prior studies often focused only on the permanent deformation of a single layer in conventional tracks or on the asphalt layer in asphaltic rail track designs. No study has comprehensively predicted and compared the total permanent deformation of both track types using finite element modeling. This study addresses that gap by employing mechanistic modeling to assess and compare the total permanent deformation in conventional and asphaltic rail tracks. The Generalized Maxwell model represents asphalt behavior, while the Modified Drucker-Prager Cap model captures the response of ballast, sub-ballast, and subgrade layers. Results show that asphaltic tracks outperform conventional tracks in reducing total permanent deformation. Specifically, asphaltic overlayment tracks perform better overall, while asphaltic underlayment tracks more effectively minimize deformation in the asphalt and subgrade layers. The findings highlight the potential benefits of asphaltic designs for long-term track performance. Future studies should incorporate time-dependent creep behavior of unbound granular and soil materials to improve prediction accuracy.

Keywords

Asphaltic Track Structure

Finite Element Modeling

Mechanistic Prediction

Drucker-Prager Cap Constitutive Model

Permanent Track Deformation

Subjects