Mechanics of Ballasted Rail Tracks: A Geotechnical Perspective [Hardcover]

In this book, the authors discuss testing of ballast, including the strength, deformation and degradation aspects of fresh and recycled ballast under monotonic and cyclic loading. The effectiveness of geosynthetics in stabilising recycled ballast has also been examined. A new stress-strain constitutive model for ballast incorporating particle breakage is presented. Finally, a new range of particle gradations, balancing the strength and permeability requirements, has been proposed for future rail tracks. This book is intended as a reference text for final year civil engineering students and postgraduates, and for practicing railway engineers with the task of modernizing existing designs.

1. Introduction  2. Track Structure and Loading  3. Factors Governing Ballast Behaviour  4. State-of-the-Art Triaxial Testing of Ballast  5. Behaviour of Ballast with and without Geosynthetics  6. Existing Deformation Models  7. A New Constitutive Model for Ballast  8. Track Drainage and Use of Geosynthetics  9. Track Maintenance

The strength, deformation and degradation behaviour of ballast and the effectiveness of geosynthetics in stabilising recycled ballast have been described in this book. Relevant experimental procedures and theoretical aspects are discussed, and a new stress-strain constitutive model for ballast is proposed.

Prof. Buddhima Indraratna is Professor of Civil Engineering at University of Wollongong, Wollongong City, Australia. He has been the team leader of a number of Railway Geotechnology research projects in Australia funded by the Australian Research Council and the Cooperative Research Centre for Railway Engineering in Australia.

Dr. Wadud Salim is a Research Engineer at University of Wollongong. He has been working on railway geotechnology for the last 4-5 years. His special interest includes behaviour of railway ballast underl£!