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Published in:
2025 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
Recycled Rubber Grids for Improved Performance of Ballasted Tracks
Authors : Anees Raja Siddiqui, Buddhima Indraratna, Trung Ngo, Cholachat Rujikiatkamjorn
Published in: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics (ICTG) 2024, Volume 7
Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore
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Abstract
This paper presents a study examining the use of recycled rubber grids to enhance the performance of ballasted tracks. The rubber grids were manufactured from discarded conveyor belt panels using the waterjet cutting process. Different grids with two aperture shapes, i.e., square and circle, and varying effective area ratios were prepared. Large-scale impact tests were conducted on ballast specimens with and without these grids to assess their performance. Results of this study show that incorporating rubber grids in ballast yields numerous benefits. Firstly, they mitigate the high-frequency impact forces through enhanced damping. Secondly, they reduce subsequent vertical and lateral settlements of the ballast assembly. And finally, they minimise the breakage of ballast particles. The study concludes that using recycled rubber grids can improve ballast performance while also offering obvious environmental benefits and promoting the principles of the circular economy.