LAUSR

Abstract To evaluate the reliability of the dynamic irregularity of a track structure in satisfying the safety requirements, a stochastic virtual track inspection (SVTI) system that can be used to predict the time-varying probability distribution of dynamic irregularity was developed by combining virtual track inspection (VTI) system and the generalized probability density evolution method (GPDEM) in this study. A train–track–bridge dynamic interaction model (TTBDIM) was built using the Universal Mechanism platform. The inertial reference method (IRM) was simulated by finding the frequency-domain quadratic integration of the axle box acceleration and filtering it, based on which the deterministic VTI system was established. For the sake of probability analysis, the track geometry irregularities (TGI) was considered as a stochastic variable. A number-theory-based uniform experimental design was used to determine the representative points in the high-dimensional probability space. SVTI was established by coupling the deterministic VTI system and the generalized probability density evolution equation. The probability density evolution function of the dynamic irregularity was solved for using the finite difference method with the total variation diminishing (TVD) format. In this study, floating slab tracks on a U-shaped beam viaduct were taken as an example to analyze the influence of track stiffness irregularity (TSI) on the basic signal characteristics of the dynamic irregularity of the tracks using the deterministic VTI system. Furthermore, the SVTI system was used to analyze the influence of TSI on the time-varying probability distribution and determine whether the dynamic inspection requirements of the dynamic irregularity were satisfied. The research findings suggested that the TSI of the track–viaduct system with a low stiffness had a significant influence on the time-varying characteristics of the dynamic irregularity probability distribution. As the stiffness of the track–viaduct system decreased, the mean probability distribution of the dynamic irregularity extrema shifted to the higher-level area with an increasing standard deviation. When rubber spring floating slab tracks (RSFSTs) and steel spring floating slab tracks (SSFSTs) were laid on the 35-m-span U-shaped beam, the probabilities of dynamic irregularity exceeding the limit were 16.13% and 30.02%, respectively. The deterministic VTI system might not be able to detect irregularities exceeding the limit within the limited simulation mileage, which could lead to misjudgments and track regularity overestimation. In conclusion, the proposed SVTI system will provide direction for the design of track–viaduct systems with low stiffnesses in urban rail transit construction.