DEM study of an “avatar” railway ballast with real particle shape, fabric and contact mechanics

Abstract In this paper we show DEM simulations of static and cyclic large triaxial tests on a sample railway ballast. The is reconstructed from X-Ray tomography images an untested laboratory sample, recovered by impregnation with epoxy resin. Measurements both shape fabric are carried out; the shows high anisotropy particle orientations due to preparation procedure heterogeneity. A model then generated using clumps single particles, preserving each sample. Results shown compared previous numerically samples, showing importance accurate representation whole range shapes, as well confirming effect mechanical response. Graphical