Concrete Guideways for Maglev Vehicles

his paper discusses parameters of concrete guideway beams for Maglev systems. Concrete beam parameters discussed include beam cross section, beam stiffness, vehicle/guideway dynamic interaction, constructed geometric accuracy of vehicle/guideway interface surfaces, maintaining geometric accuracy of vehicle/guideway interface surfaces, deflection stability, and choice of optimum span length. Two methods of providing and maintaining required geometric accuracy of vehicle/guideway interface surfaces are also discussed. One method uses good modem construction techniques; the other method reaches outside the box to develop an automated production facility through an extensive research and development effort. Typical costs are provided for concrete Maglevguideway beams. Potential cost savings are also presented to show the result of automating concrete beam production.