Railway Ballast Degradation - Main Aspects and Case Studies

Authors

  • José Pires Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5084-8996
  • Robson Costa Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo
  • Liedi Bernucci Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo
  • Rosângela Motta Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo
  • Edson de Moura Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14295/transportes.v25i3.1340

Keywords:

Railway ballast, Ballast degradation, Railway superstructure.

Abstract

The ballast layer of a railway structural profile is considered one of the most important elements of the railway structure having a singular role on its mechanical behavior. Due to traffic and maintenance actions, over time, the ballast material tends to degrade. The objective of the paper is to evaluate the ballast degradation evolution in terms of gradation (Non-Uniformity Coefficient), shape and its distinct modes. This paper pre­sents a review concerning ballast degradation and two studies based on degradation laboratory tests in terms of abrasion within an image-based procedure and shearing tests. Generally, the paper showed different degradation modes and an adequate rep­resentation of the grains degradation evolution via methods based on abrasion tests with images obtainment and shearing.

 

 

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Author Biography

José Pires, Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo

Civil Engineer with PhD degree in Railway Infrastructure, Master degree in Geotechnical Engineering and researcher in the Transportation Department of Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo.

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Published

2017-10-29

How to Cite

Pires, J., Costa, R., Bernucci, L., Motta, R., & Moura, E. de. (2017). Railway Ballast Degradation - Main Aspects and Case Studies. Transportes, 25(3), 62–74. https://doi.org/10.14295/transportes.v25i3.1340

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 3 (2017): Prêmio ANPET de Produção Científica 2016

Section

Prêmio ANPET de Produção Científica winners

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