Mitigating resonance-induced center section failure in railway sleepers via modal-sensitive mass redistribution: a comparative multi-axial experimental evaluation using scaled prototypes
Engineering Failure Analysis, cilt.197, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 197
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2026.111232
- Dergi Adı: Engineering Failure Analysis
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Experimental modal analysis (EMA), Indirect additive manufacturing, Modal topology optimization, Railway sleepers, Resonance-induced failure, Structural integrity
- Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Resonance-induced center section cracking is a critical failure mechanism in conventional mono-block concrete railway sleepers. Traditional designs frequently utilize mid-span cross-sectional “necking” to achieve static material economy; however, this geometric transition acts as a significant contributing factor for dynamic fatigue and structural failure. To address this vulnerability and mitigate resonance-induced center section failures, this study proposes a proactive preventive action by developing novel sleeper topologies based on Modal Topology Optimization (MTO). To isolate the influence of geometric topology on dynamic response under controlled conditions, a triaxial experimental evaluation was conducted on 18 distinct geometries using 1:10 scaled semi-functional cementitious prototypes fabricated via indirect additive manufacturing. Multi-axial dynamic characterization was executed using Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) and contactless Vibro-Acoustic Modal Testing (VMT), comparing 14 innovative topologies against four conventional baselines (B58, B70, B07, B320). The findings demonstrate that optimizing stiffness and modal mass distribution elevates the triaxial resonance frequencies. Notably, the C-23–230 model, featuring a convex mid-section and short-length topology, elevated the vertical fundamental resonance frequency, enhanced the vertical modal damping ratio, and suppressed the vertical Complex Mode Indicator Function (CMIF) peak amplitude by up to 87%, 71%, and 68% compared to conventional baselines, respectively. By systematically shifting resonance bands away from dominant operational excitation zones and minimizing dynamic energy amplification within the evaluated unreinforced prototypes, the proposed stiffness-modal mass optimization offers a potential to reduce resonance-induced dynamic amplification within this laboratory model context, providing a comparative geometric baseline for future full-scale service life evaluations.