2013 Session: 378

• Hardness, Fouling, Life-Cycle, and Ballast Requirements for High-Speed and Heavy-Haul Railways
  Abstract: Results from tests performed on ballast used in the Greek network, as well as a new method for the estimation of ballast fouling as a function of ballast hardness are presented in the present paper. Stresses that develop under the seating surface of the sleeper and that are transmitted to the ballast, influence maintenance intervals and cost. Ballast hardness influences the fouling and consequently the life-cycle of the material laid at the ballast-bed. This leads to the determination of a minimum quality for the technical specifications in relation to traffic conditions (daily tonnage). The present paper discusses these issues and results from the research programs performed on the Greek railway net-work.
  Authors: Giannakos, Konstantinos; Loizos, Andreas; Plati, Christina
  Authors: Giannakos, Konstantinos; Loizos, Andreas; Plati, Christina
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Railroads; Rail; Maintenance and Preservation
  Session: 378
  Paper Number: 13-1523
• Fractal Analysis of Fouled Rail Ballast
  Abstract: A test section of railway was installed in Nebraska, with samples taken over the course of three years (1990 to 1993) for sieve analyses. Single-factor analysis of variance tests were used to determine the relationship of measured parameters to the fouling of ballast. Ballast fouling, as measured by the traditional fouling index, increased over time. Fouling was more prevalent in the lower depths of the ballast layer, as well as in the tamping zones. This is because fouled material migrates downward within the ballast layer, and the tamping process increases fouling. Fragmentation fractal analysis was used as a method of classifying the grain size distribution (GSD) of ballast. The average value of the fragmentation fractal dimension increased over time for the entire GSD curve, but decreased for the part of the curve representing the fouled material. Further analysis indicated that the initial GSD of the ballast may not show fractal geometry because of its manufactured nature, but over time the increase in fouling forces the GSD toward a fractal distribution.
  Authors: Ho, Carlton L.; Lambert, Ryan S.; Hyslip, James P.
  Authors: Ho, Carlton L.; Lambert, Ryan S.; Hyslip, James P.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Railroads; Rail; Maintenance and Preservation
  Session: 378
  Paper Number: 13-3403
• Characterization of Railroad Ballast Behavior Under Repeated Loading Using New Large Triaxial Test Setup
  Abstract: Characterizing railroad ballast behavior under repeated train loading is of significant importance for evaluating field settlement or permanent deformation potentials of unbound aggregate ballast layers. To properly characterize ballast behavior under dynamic loading, a new triaxial test setup was recently developed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Capable of accommodating cylindrical specimens with a diameter of 305 mm (12 in.) and a height of 610 mm (24 in.), this closed-loop servo-hydraulic test setup utilizes a load cell and four displacement transducers mounted on the specimen to quantify deformation behavior under loading. Unique features of the test setup are first presented in this paper followed by the procedures adopted for sample preparation and compaction. Preliminary test results evaluating effects of different applied stress states as well as geogrid reinforcement on ballast behavior established the consistency and repeatability of this new test equipment. Next, laboratory findings are presented from an ongoing research study aimed at investigating the effects of different ballast types and field degradation trends on permanent deformation accumulation. The ballast type with the highest Mill Abrasion Value was found to accumulate the highest permanent deformation under repeated load triaxial testing. Permanent deformation trends observed for four other ballast types showed direct correlations to the degrees of particle degradation observed in track sections constructed using these ballast materials and trafficked for approximately 18 months with a total track usage of 320 million gross tons.
  Authors: Mishra, Debakanta; Kazmee, Hasan; Tutumluer, Erol; Pforr, James; Read, David; Gehringer, Eric
  Authors: Mishra, Debakanta; Kazmee, Hasan; Tutumluer, Erol; Pforr, James; Read, David; Gehringer, Eric
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Railroads; Rail; Maintenance and Preservation
  Session: 378
  Paper Number: 13-4269
• Investigation of Aggregate Properties Influencing Railroad Ballast Performance
  Abstract: Class I freight railroads nearly exclusively use “premium” high quality ballast aggregates such as granite, trap rock, and quartzite aggregates for their mainline ballast needs. Note that these natural virgin aggregates are crushed stones with certain geologic origins and their properties may vary significantly depending on quarry sources and production techniques. This paper presents findings from a comprehensive laboratory study on ballast aggregates undertaken at the University of Illinois with the objective to investigate differences in engineering behavior of premium railroad ballast materials obtained from thirteen quarries from across the Union Pacific Railroad system. Laboratory research tasks consisted of gradation analysis, quantifications of shape, texture and angularity properties using the University of Illinois Aggregate Image Analyzer (UIAIA), shear strength evaluation via large direct shear (shear box) tests, and ballast degradation and durability analyses through Los Angeles Abrasion (LAA) tests conducted at 400 and 1,000 turns and evaluations of subsequent ballast fouling. As compacted ballast void ratio increased, aggregate strength typically decreased due to lower solid densities obtained from shear box testing. Aggregate shape properties quantified through imaging based shape indices were shown to be linked to the strength properties of different ballast density groups. One of the ballast aggregates with flat and elongated particles but very strong mineralogy had quite high strength properties despite its tendency to break particles during shearing. Higher angularities that generally resulted in higher strength properties could also yield higher fouling and increased breakdown potential of the aggregates.
  Authors: Wnek, Michael A; Tutumluer, Erol; Moaveni, Maziar; Gehringer, Eric
  Authors: Wnek, Michael A; Tutumluer, Erol; Moaveni, Maziar; Gehringer, Eric
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Railroads; Rail; Maintenance and Preservation
  Session: 378
  Paper Number: 13-4338
• Hardness, Fouling, Life-Cycle, and Ballast Requirements for High-Speed and Heavy-Haul Railways
  Authors: Giannakos, Konstantinos
  Authors: Giannakos, Konstantinos
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Rail; Maintenance and Preservation
  Session: 378
  Paper Number: 13-1523
• Fractal Analysis of Fouled Rail Ballast
  Authors: Ho, Carlton
  Authors: Ho, Carlton
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Rail; Maintenance and Preservation
  Session: 378
  Paper Number: 13-3403
• Investigation of Aggregate Properties Influencing Railroad Ballast Performance
  Authors: Wnek, Michael
  Authors: Wnek, Michael
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Rail; Maintenance and Preservation
  Session: 378
  Paper Number: 13-4338
• Characterization of Railroad Ballast Behavior Under Repeated Loading Using New Large Triaxial Test Setup
  Authors: Mishra, Debakanta
  Authors: Mishra, Debakanta
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Rail; Maintenance and Preservation
  Session: 378
  Paper Number: 13-4269
• Ballast Study on the Western HAL Mega-Site
  Authors: Douglas, Samuel
  Authors: Douglas, Samuel
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Rail; Maintenance and Preservation
  Session: 378
  Paper Number: P13-5772