To investigate the composite performance of the track slab and the self-compacting concrete filling layer in the China Railway Track System III slab track structure, six segmental specimens comprising either one or a pair of sleepers were fabricated by dividing a full-scale slab track structure. Fatigue tests in the transverse bending perpendicular to the rail were conducted on four slab track specimens supported on rubber plates simulating the subgrade, to a maximum of five million applied load cycles. It was observed in the fatigue tests that longitudinal cracks first appeared on the top surface of the track slab at the mid-span of the specimen. Splitting cracks appeared later from the anchorage ends of the transverse prestressed tendons to the top surface of track slab. Delamination of the track slab–filling layer interface developed with increasing number of cycles. Static three-point bending tests were also conducted on both fatigue-damaged and control composite plate specimens to evaluate the effect of fatigue damage on the composite performance of the track slab and the filling layer. In the static tests, significant deformation developed in the fatigue-damaged specimens from the start of loading, and the fatigue damage and interface delamination adversely affected the composite action of the track slab and the filling layer. Static loads corresponding to new cracking of the fatigue-damaged composite plates were reduced by 20–30%, and the load corresponding to the initial interlayer slip reduced by 25–62% compared with the control specimens. The interfacial bond strength between the track slab and the filling layer is the first line of defense against the interlayer slip, and the dowel action of the interlayer connection reinforcement is the second line of defense. Roughening by multitooth chiseling on the track slab and an increase in the ratio of interlayer connection reinforcements are both effective ways to enhance the composite action of the track slab and the filling layer.

The distinctly shaped steel-reinforced concrete (SRC) column–beam framing system offers an innovative and tailored structural solution that combines load-bearing capabilities with architectural esthetics. This study introduces an innovative joint design methodology, focusing on examining the seismic responsiveness of the uniquely designed SRC columns when interconnected with reinforced concrete (RC) beams, subjected to bidirectional low cycle loading patterns through precisely calibrated pseudo-static evaluations with varied stirrup spacing. A comparative assessment was undertaken, comparing the joints of SRC test specimens with their RC counterparts, ensuring equivalency in steel and reinforcement area to maintain fairness. The evaluation encompassed a thorough examination of hysteresis loop backbone curves, as well as load–strain hysteresis patterns. It was found that the specimens incorporating structural steel and tubes demonstrated enhanced energy dissipation capabilities, surpassing other specimens in this critical performance aspect. An in-depth analysis was also conducted by comparing the ductility coefficient and the equivalent viscous damping coefficient to evaluate the joints’ performance in dissipating energy, coupled with a thorough examination of their stiffness deterioration behavior. The conclusion is that the energy dissipation capacity and stiffness degradation of distinctly shaped SRC column joints are superior to those of conventional, distinctly shaped concrete column joints, indicating promising application prospects.

The concrete track slab and the base slab of the high-speed railway CRTS II track structure are prone to transverse cracks in the initial service period, which are subjected to environmental action and train load. In order to investigate the influence of transverse cracks on chloride ingress of concrete track slab and base slab in a coastal environment, drying-wetting cycle chloride erosion tests were carried out on reinforced concrete track slab and base slab specimens with cracks ranging from 0 mm to 0.6 mm, subjected to continuous bending moment. The chloride ion concentration of concrete along the depth direction was collected during the test process. The experimental results show that the chloride ion concentration of concrete at the crack section is much higher than that at the intact section, and it increases with the increase of crack width in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. A chloride diffusion coefficient model of cracked concrete is proposed for slab track based on the experimental results, which can comprehensively consider the effects of surface chloride ion concentration, chloride binding effect, time-varying effect, temperature, relative humidity, and transverse crack width.

Ballastless track structures are widely employed in high-speed rail networks because of their superior safety and durability. Among the various types of ballastless track, the Type II slab is currently one of the most extensively used and mature technologies in practice. Over the course of its service life, the damage within the ballastless track structure gradually accumulates in response to increased external loads. Therefore, it is crucial to continuously monitor the health condition of the track structure. In this study, a quasi-distributed fiber optic sensing system is adopted to monitor the deformation capacity and force performance of a Type II ballastless track slab under vertical load. The investigation aims to analyze the damage mechanism of the track structure under vertical pressure by assessing the deformation differences among its different components. The findings reveal that the incorporation of vertical reinforcement can enhance the pressure bearing capacity of the cement asphalt mortar layer to a certain extent, subsequently affecting the stress dilation. The stress performance of the ballastless track slab can be effectively monitored using the quasi-distributed fiber optic sensing technology under pressure. The outcomes of this research offer valuable insights for controlling displacement and analyzing damage in ballastless railway systems subjected to compression.