LAUSR

Abstract Research on the topological rule and random generation method of a ballast silhouette can realize different batch generations of ballast 2D topology under the condition of definite gradation, which can lay a foundation for the microscopic simulation and performance research of a railway ballast bed. Based on the analysis of ballast particle silhouette samples collected by digital image processing technology (DIPT), this paper presents a method of characterizing ballast silhouette features based on an optimal ellipse and surface stretch curve and achieves random batch generation of ballast silhouette 2D topology by establishing ballast particle reconstruction function libraries. The results show that the optimal ellipse processed by the least squares method can represent the holistic shape of ballast particles; the silhouette surface stretch curve based on the optimal ellipse can reflect the fluctuation degree of the silhouette; the function libraries can effectively support the reconstruction and random generation of ballast 2D topology; and the reconstructed ballast database passes the particle size gradation curve test and the main morphological characteristic parameter test, which shows that the method can be used in batch generation of ballast 2D silhouettes and related simulation.