A precast slab track partially reinforced with GFRP rebars

Abstract

This study developed and investigated a precast slab track system partially reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars in the transverse direction, which mitigated the loss of track circuit current by reducing magnetic coupling between the rails and steel reinforcements. An electric analysis was conducted and the results of the analysis verified that the GFRP rebars mitigate the reduced current strength produced by electro-magnetic induction. In the study, a three-dimensional finite element method and flexural experiments were used to study the mechanical behavior of the proposed slab track.