BALLAST TESTS

Conductivity tests on open-hearth slag are discussed to determine if that material is satisfactory for use as railroad ballast in track-circuit territory. A series of conductivity tests are run on the open-hearth slag using a specially built 8-cu ft box with dimensions of 2x2x2ft. The box is filled with open-hearth slag, and resistance between the copper plates on opposite faces is determined by an ohmmeter. Resistance readings of open-hearth slag ballast material is compared with a ballast of acceptable conductivity. The conductivity of individual pieces of seven different ballast materials is investigated next. It is noted that considerable difference exists between the resistance of the open-hearth slag pieces and the resistance of the other types of ballast tested in the dry state. A final phase of the investigation determines resistance for a section of railroad track. It is noted again that the lowest resistance involves the thoroughly saturated condition. It is concluded that all the tests indicate that the open-hearth slag sample had higher conductivity in the dry state than any of the other ballast materials tested.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Publication Date: 1962-10

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 35-38
• Serial:
  • AREA BULLETIN
  • Volume: 64 N
  • Issue Number: 573
  • Publisher: American Railway Engineering Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ballast (Railroads); Signaling; Slag; Tests; Track circuits
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ballast; Conductivity; Open hearth slag
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00052315
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 15 1974 12:00AM