The aims of this article are as follows. Firstly, the importance of vertical track stiffness on high-speed lines is emphasized. Secondly, it proposes an optimum range for this vertical stiffness value, establishing parallel equations that enable the influence of every elastic component located under the rail to be quantified (base plates, ballast and subgrade) in total track stiffness. Finally, a range of variations is proposed for base-plate vertical stiffness.
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