Small structures in the core (nucleus) of the embankment in high-speed lines. Effects on the variation of the global stiffness of the track and design recommendations.

Whenever structures or other elements are built in a railway infrastructure, a heterogeneous condition is induced, with the attendant variations in the track stiffness and stress conditions of the track subgrade under traffic loads. The track stiffness variation and differential settlements lead to increasing dynamic overloads which both accelerate and...