Finite Element Analysis of Micropile Reinforced Subgrade in Railway Tracks

Railways is a very old form of transportation in India with a vast network of railway track. A large majority of the railway network is old and built according to the codes and demands of the times when they were constructed. There is a need to improve the existing set of railway tracks to run heavier trains for present and future demands. This paper proposes to study the effect of micropile to reinforce the railway subgrades for increased load conditions. Micropiles can be used to enhance the load bearing capacity as well reduce settlements in subgrades. In view of this, the present study explores a finite element method (FEM) model for the simulation of unreinforced and reinforced subgrades with micropiles. Different arrangements of micropiles is considered and optimum configuration for maximum performance is found out. The efficiency of micropiles in improving the railway subgrade is evaluated by comparing the unreinforced and reinforced subgrades. The developed study is helpful in analyzing the mechanism of subgrade improvement using micropile and provides valuable inputs for the design and application of micropiles.