A simplified model for the mapping relationship analysis of pier settlement and magnetic levitation track geometry

Magnetic levitation (maglev) track plays an important role in the breakthrough of superhigh-speed transportation, but it requires extremely high track smoothness. In the long-term operation of the maglev track–bridge system, pier settlement is inevitable, causing track deformations and even leading to damage problems. In this work, a simplified model is constructed to characterise the interaction between F-rail, I-shaped steel sleeper, track bearing and U-shaped beam in a maglev track–bridge system, where the Bernoulli–Euler beam and double-beam elements with coordinate transformations are applied and springs are used to depict the substructural element coupling. A static mapping analysis method is presented to clarify the influence of pier settlement on track deformation, strain, substructural interaction forces and so on. The correctness of this model is validated by comparing it to a solid model created using Abaqus software. The influence of pier settlement, stiffness degradation and bolt fracture on track–bridge deformation and interaction is analysed in detail.