Performance of geosynthetic-reinforced alternative sub-ballast material in a railway track

J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng.

2016

112

Large repetitive wheel loads from heavy haul and passenger trains can cause significant track deformation that leads to poor track geometry and safety issues. The inclusion of geosynthetics and rubber mats (i.e., shockmat) in critical sections in the track for reducing these adverse effects was further examined through an extensive field trial in the town of Singleton, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Four types of geosynthetics and a shockmat were installed below the ballast layer in selected sections of track constructed on three different subgrades (soft alluvial clay, hard rock, and concrete bridge), and the performance of the instrumented track was monitored for five years under in-service conditions including tamping operations. The measured stress-deformation response indicates that the geosynthetics effec-tively control the long-term and transient strains in the ballast layer, with the obvious benefit of reducing maintenance costs. The study also showed that the aperture size of geogrids in the range of 1.1 times the mean particle size of the ballast was most effective. The placement of shockmat on a concrete bridge contributed to reduced ballast breakage. The dynamic amplification of stresses induced by moving trains was observed, and it became more pronounced at higher axle loads and train speeds. The dynamic track modulus was evaluated adopting the concept of modified beam on an elastic foundation (BOEF), and this approach was found to be largely influenced by the axle load, train speed, placement of synthetic inclusions, and type of subgrade. Abstract: Large repetitive wheel loads from heavy haul and passenger trains can cause significant track deformation that leads to poor track geometry and safety issues. The inclusion of geosynthetics and rubber mats (i.e., shockmat) in critical sections in the track for reducing these adverse effects was further examined through an extensive field trial in the town of Singleton, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Four types of geosynthetics and a shockmat were installed below the ballast layer in selected sections of track constructed on three different subgrades (soft alluvial clay, hard rock, and concrete bridge), and the performance of the instrumented track was monitored for five years under in-service conditions including tamping operations. The measured stress-deformation response indicates that the geosynthetics effectively control the long-term and transient strains in the ballast layer, with the obvious benefit of reducing maintenance costs. The study also showed that the aperture size of geogrids in the range of 1.1 times the mean particle size of the ballast was most effective. The placement of shockmat on a concrete bridge contributed to reduced ballast breakage. The dynamic amplification of stresses induced by moving trains was observed, and it became more pronounced at higher axle loads and train speeds. The dynamic track modulus was evaluated adopting the concept of modified beam on an elastic foundation (BOEF), and this approach was foun...

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved Performance of Ballasted Rail Track Using Geosynthetics and Rubber Shockmat

Nimbalkar

J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng.

2016

112

“…Geogrids have been widely used in the substructure of rail tracks to reinforce the ballast and to increase the duration of track serviceability (Raymond 2002;McDowell and Stickley 2006;Brown et al 2007;Fernandes et al 2008;Kwon and Penman 2009;Indraratna et al 2011a). It has been reported that due to the mechanical interlock with aggregates, geogrids can decrease lateral spreading and the degradation of ballast (Bathurst and Raymond 1987;Brown et al 2006;Indraratna et al 2013;Biabani et al 2016a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling geogrid-reinforced railway ballast using the discrete element method

Ngo

Transportation Geotechnics

Rujikiatkamjorn

2016

Rail ballast is an unbounded granular material that spreads laterally when subjected to train loading. Railroads can be reinforced by geogrids to reduce lateral movement and to optimize track performance. This paper presents a study of the behaviour of geogrid-reinforced ballast subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading using a large-scale direct shear box and a novel Track Process Simulation Apparatus (TPSA). The shear stressstrain response of fresh and fouled ballast reinforced by geogrid was investigated using large-scale direct shear tests subjected to normal stresses from 15 kPa to 75 kPa, where the levels of fouling varied from 20% to 95% Void Contamination Index (VCI). Cyclic tests for fresh and fouled ballast were conducted using the TPSA to realistically simulate real track conditions. The experimental results showed that a geogrid provides extra internal confinement and interlocks the aggreagtes in its apertures, hence reduces ballast deformation. The discrete element method (DEM) was used to model geogrid-reinforced fresh and fouled ballast subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading. Irregularly-shaped particles and geogird were simulated by clumping spherical balls together, while the coal fines were simulated by adding 1.5mm diameter spheres into the pore spaces of ballast. The predicted stress-displacement responses obtained from the DEM were in good agreement with those measured in the laboratory, where the peak shear stress of fouled ballast decreased and the dilation of fouled ballast increased with an increasing level of fouling. The contact force distributions and the orientations of normal and shear force were analyzed to provide more insight into the behaviour of ballast subjected to shearing. This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. ABSTRACTRail ballast is an unbounded granular material that spreads laterally when subjected to train loading. Railroads can be reinforced by geogrids to reduce lateral movement and to optimize track performance. This paper presents a study of the behaviour of geogrid-reinforced ballast subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading using a large-scale direct shear box and a novel Track Process Simulation Apparatus (TPSA). The shear stress-strain response of fresh and fouled ballast reinforced by geogrid was investigated using large-scale direct shear tests subjected to normal stresses from 15 kPa to 75 kPa, where the levels of fouling varied from 20% to 95% Void Contamination Index (VCI). Cyclic tests for fresh and fouled ballast were conducted using the TPSA to realistically simulate real track conditions. The experimental results showed th...

“…Geogrid has been widely recognized as a useful method for stabilizing ballast, because it provides additional internal confining pressure and reinforcement, which (1) decreases maintenance costs and (2) enhances track serviceability (Bathurst and Raymond 1987;Göbel et al 1994;Raymond 2002;Shin et al 2002;Raymond and Ismail 2003;Brown et al 2006Brown et al , 2007Fernandes et al 2008;Qian et al 2010;Indraratna et al 2006Indraratna et al , 2011a. When the geogrid is installed between the layers of ballast and subballast, it interacts with the surrounding grains to carry tensile loads imposed by the repeated train loadings by effectively interlocking between itself and the ballast.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deformation of Coal Fouled Ballast Stabilized with Geogrid under Cyclic Load

J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng.

Ngo

Rujikiatkamjorn

2013

113

This paper presents the results of laboratory investigations into the deformation of coal fouled ballast stabilized with geogrid at various degrees of fouling. A novel track process simulation apparatus was used to simulate realistic rail track conditions subjected to cyclic loading, and the void contamination index (VCI) was used to evaluate the level of ballast fouling. The experimental results show that coal fines act as a lubricant, causing grains of ballast to displace and rotate, and as a result, accelerate its deformation. However, coal fines also reduce ballast breakage because of a cushioning effect, that is, by reducing interparticle attrition. The inclusion of geogrid at the interface between the layer of ballast and subballast provides additional internal confinement and particle interlocking via geogrid apertures, which reduces deformation. A threshold value of VCI540% is proposed to assist practitioners for conducting track maintenance. If the level of fouling exceeds this threshold, the geogrid reinforcement significantly decreases its effectiveness and the fouled ballast exhibits a premature dilation. Based on the experimental results, an equation incorporating the VCI was proposed to predict the deformation of fresh and fouled ballast. This equation improves track design and assists in favorable decision support for track maintenance. Additionally, the discrete element method (DEM) was also used to capture the deformation of fouled ballast subjected to cyclic loading, whereas the DEM results were compared with experimental observations. Abstract: This paper presents the results of laboratory investigations into the deformation of coal fouled ballast stabilized with geogrid at various degrees of fouling. A novel track process simulation apparatus was used to simulate realistic rail track conditions subjected to cyclic loading, and the void contamination index (VCI) was used to evaluate the level of ballast fouling. The experimental results show that coal fines act as a lubricant, causing grains of ballast to displace and rotate, and as a result, accelerate its deformation. However, coal fines also reduce ballast breakage because of a cushioning effect, that is, by reducing interparticle attrition. The inclusion of geogrid at the interface between the layer of ballast and subballast provides additional internal confinement and particle interlocking via geogrid apertures, which reduces deformation. A threshold value of VCI 5 40% is proposed to assist practitioners for conducting track maintenance. If the level of fouling exceeds this threshold, the geogrid reinforcement significantly decreases its effectiveness and the fouled ballast exhibits a premature dilation. Based on the experimental results, an equation incorporating the VCI was proposed to predict the deformation of fresh and fouled ballast. This equation improves track design and assists in favorable decision support for track maintenance. Additionally, the discrete element method (DEM) was also used to capture the deformation of ...