DETAILED INVESTIGATION OF RAILWAY TRACK FORMATION - A CASE STUDY

To determine the causes of poor track geometry and deterioration of track quality, a trackbed investigation should comprise a full assessment of ballast, sub-ballast and formation condition. If information about any of these layers is omitted, the true cause of poor formation sites cannot be ascertained satisfactorily and consequently appropriate ground improvement schemes may not be implemented. This has been observed in the UK rail network with examples of a lack of detailed site investigation and subsequent expensive remedial work being carried out without eliminating the initial cause of the problem. The specifications of any proposed site investigation will be dependent upon both the perceived causes and potential remedies of the poor formation. The assessment should include determination of index properties, strength and stiffness parameters. Groundwater conditions must also be assessed due to the effects of water on formation and hence track quality. This paper summarises the trackbed investigation performed at a site requiring high maintenance, suspected as being caused by poor formation. The paper concludes with an analysis of ground conditions and possible choice of remedial schemes deemed suitable for treatment of the site. For the covering abstract see ITRD E123713.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0947644458
• Corporate Authors:

  ENGINEERING TECHNICS PRESS

  46 CLUNY GARDENS
  EDINBURGH,   United Kingdom  EH10 6BN
• Authors:
  • BROUGH, M
  • STIRLING, A
  • GHATAORA, G
  • MADELIN, K
• Publication Date: 2001

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 14 p.
• Serial:
  • PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE RAILWAY ENGINEERING 2001, HELD LONDON, UK, 30 APRIL - 1 MAY 2001 - CDROM
  • Publisher: ENGINEERING TECHNICS PRESS

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ballast (Railroads); Condition surveys; Conferences; Groundwater; Layout; Maintenance; Quality control; Railroad tracks; Subsoil
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ballast; Quality
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 4559: Coarse aggregate; 3857: Condition survey; 8525: Conference; 4383: Ground water; 2885: Layout; 3847: Maintenance; 9063: Quality; 1062: Railway track; 2930: Subsoil; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00985503
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 0-947644-45-8
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Feb 4 2005 12:00AM