Use of geogrids and recycled rubber in railroad infrastructure for enhanced performance

Indraratna, B; Qi, Y; Ngo, TN; Rujikiatkamjorn, C; Neville, T; Ferreira, FB; Shahkolahi, A

Use of geogrids and recycled rubber in railroad infrastructure for enhanced performance

Indraratna, B

Qi, Y

Ngo, TN Rujikiatkamjorn, C Neville, T Ferreira, FB Shahkolahi, A

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Publisher:: MDPI AG
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Geosciences (Switzerland), 2019, 9, (1), pp. 30-30
Issue Date:: 2019-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Indraratna, B https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9057-1514
dc.contributor.author	Qi, Y https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3486-2130
dc.contributor.author	Ngo, TN
dc.contributor.author	Rujikiatkamjorn, C
dc.contributor.author	Neville, T
dc.contributor.author	Ferreira, FB
dc.contributor.author	Shahkolahi, A
dc.date.accessioned	2020-05-12T02:54:01Z
dc.date.available	2020-05-12T02:54:01Z
dc.date.issued	2019-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Geosciences (Switzerland), 2019, 9, (1), pp. 30-30
dc.identifier.issn	2163-1719
dc.identifier.issn	2076-3263
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/140663
dc.description.abstract	© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Railway tracks are conventionally built on compacted ballast and structural fill layers placed above the natural (subgrade) foundation. However, during train operations, track deteriorations occur progressively due to ballast degradation. The associated track deformation is usually accompanied by a reduction in both load bearing capacity and drainage, apart from imposing frequent track maintenance. Suitable ground improvement techniques involving plastic inclusions (e.g., geogrids) and energy absorbing materials (e.g., rubber products) to enhance the stability and longevity of tracks have become increasingly popular. This paper presents the outcomes from innovative research and development measures into the use of plastic and rubber elements in rail tracks undertaken at the University of Wollongong, Australia, over the past twenty years. The results obtained from laboratory tests, mathematical modelling and numerical modelling reveal that track performance can be improved significantly by using geogrid and energy absorbing rubber products (e.g., rubber crumbs, waste tire-cell and rubber mats). Test results show that the addition of rubber materials can efficiently improve the energy absorption of the structural layer and also reduce ballast breakage. Furthermore, by incorporating the work input parameters, the energy absorbing property of the newly developed synthetic capping layer is captured by correct modelling of dilatancy. In addition, the laboratory behavior of tire cells and geogrids has been validated by numerical modelling (i.e., Finite Element Modelling-FEM, Discrete Element—DEM), and a coupled DEM-FEM modelling approach is also introduced to simulate ballast deformation.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	MDPI AG
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/IC170100006
dc.relation.ispartof	Geosciences (Switzerland)
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/geosciences9010030
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.subject	0403 Geology, 0907 Environmental Engineering, 0909 Geomatic Engineering
dc.title	Use of geogrids and recycled rubber in railroad infrastructure for enhanced performance
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	9
utslib.for	0403 Geology
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering
utslib.for	0909 Geomatic Engineering
utslib.for	0403 Geology
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering
utslib.for	0909 Geomatic Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	recently_added	*
dc.date.updated	2020-05-12T02:52:32Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	9
utslib.start-page	30
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Railway tracks are conventionally built on compacted ballast and structural fill layers placed above the natural (subgrade) foundation. However, during train operations, track deteriorations occur progressively due to ballast degradation. The associated track deformation is usually accompanied by a reduction in both load bearing capacity and drainage, apart from imposing frequent track maintenance. Suitable ground improvement techniques involving plastic inclusions (e.g., geogrids) and energy absorbing materials (e.g., rubber products) to enhance the stability and longevity of tracks have become increasingly popular. This paper presents the outcomes from innovative research and development measures into the use of plastic and rubber elements in rail tracks undertaken at the University of Wollongong, Australia, over the past twenty years. The results obtained from laboratory tests, mathematical modelling and numerical modelling reveal that track performance can be improved significantly by using geogrid and energy absorbing rubber products (e.g., rubber crumbs, waste tire-cell and rubber mats). Test results show that the addition of rubber materials can efficiently improve the energy absorption of the structural layer and also reduce ballast breakage. Furthermore, by incorporating the work input parameters, the energy absorbing property of the newly developed synthetic capping layer is captured by correct modelling of dilatancy. In addition, the laboratory behavior of tire cells and geogrids has been validated by numerical modelling (i.e., Finite Element Modelling-FEM, Discrete Element—DEM), and a coupled DEM-FEM modelling approach is also introduced to simulate ballast deformation.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/140663