1st Proctor Lecture of ISSMGE:

Indraratna, Buddhima

doi:10.1016/j.trgeo.2016.05.002

Cited by 31 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 192 publications

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“…Several costintensive track rehabilitation works have been conducted in the past in Nigeria without eradicating the primary reason for the problem (Ayoola, 2016;Oshin, 1991). Ballasted railway tracks constitute the major transportation grids in many countries across the globe; they convey commuters, as well as freight and bulk cargoes between cities, mines, farmlands, and ports (Bassey et al, 2020;Indraratna, 2016). However, Nigerian railway tracks have suffered decades of neglect due to ineffective financial management, lack of adequate technical expertise, inadequate operational capacity, competition from the road transport mode, and decline in coal and agricultural exports, since the discovery of crude oil (Tolofari & Gubbins, 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental characterization of track ballast under triple-fouling condition: Evidence from selected Nigerian Railways

et al. 2021

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This study assessed the aggregate properties that influence track ballast performance along selected Nigerian railway lines. Ballast materials from five selected rail tracks (RT1, RT2, RT3, RT4, and RT5) in Nigeria were collected and assessed in present conditions and after triple-fouling (subjected to degradation, clay, and diesel intrusion). Tests performed include gradation, strength, soundness, and drain-ability tests. Results obtained were compared with the requirements established in five recognized railway ballast standards,where applicable. Initial gradation results indicate that presently, ballast materials from the selected study locations can all be classified as "uniformly graded gravel". However, upon triplefouling, a gradation shift towards the "well graded" classification was observed. Based on EN 13,450, the gradations of RT1, RT2, and RT3 ballast materials were more satisfactory than gradations of RT4 and RT5. Strength test results show that ballast materials from tracks RT1, RT2, and RT3 performed satisfactorily based on the five ballast standards considered. RT4 and RT5 on the other hand, only performed suitably based on the AREMA No. 4 ballast standard. The least resistance to weathering was observed in the RT4 and RT5 samples. Initial drain-ability test

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As weaker particles get crushed, and the sharp (angular) corners of aggregates deform under recurrent loadings, track differential settlement becomes virtually unavoidable (Indraratna, 2016;E. T. Selig & Sluz, 1978;Selig and Waters, 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental characterization of track ballast under triple-fouling condition: Evidence from selected Nigerian Railways

et al. 2021

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“…Ballasted railway tracks constitute the major transportation grids in many countries across the globe; they convey commuters, as well as freight and bulk cargoes, between cities, mines, farmlands, and ports [1]. The railtrack structure can be categorised into two groups: the substructure and the superstructure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ballast Contamination Mechanisms: A Criterial Review of Characterisation and Performance Indicators

et al. 2020

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Across the world, ballasted railway tracks are utilised extensively due to their cost efficiency, ease of drainage, and capacity to withstand cyclic imposed loadings from heavy trains. In spite of these benefits, the ballast is often considered as a flexible medium; as such, its continuous deterioration is largely disregarded. Geotechnical challenges such as ballast contamination in the form of particle fragmentation, deposition of weathered materials, upward pumping of clay and fines from underlayers, and coal intrusion have led to differential settlements and reduced drainability of tracks, thereby exacerbating track maintenance costs. This study reviews existing works of literature to expound on the mechanisms for ballast contamination and to highlight the fundamental parameters that guide the characterisation and performance evaluation of railway ballasts. The study shows that ballast fragmentation accounts for about 76% of commonly recorded contaminations, while it is also observed as the most critical to track stability. As such, a variety of indices and specifications for ballast gradation have been established worldwide to guide practice in ballast characterisation and performance evaluation. However, the mechanisms of ballast fragmentation and deterioration require further research to guide the improvement of contemporary guidelines, and mitigate the risk of abrupt track failures, especially in developing countries.

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“…Various selection criteria for ballast materials and test methods for quantifying ballast quality have been applied [33][34][35]. Material properties affect the durability of the ballast layer and further the durability of the track itself.…”

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confidence: 99%

Trends and Challenges in Railway Sustainability: The State of the Art regarding Measures, Strategies, and Assessment Tools

Giunta

2023

Sustainability

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Rail is expected to become the backbone of future mobility in the world as the cleanest and greenest high-volume transport. Rail generates the lowest CO2 emissions and energy consumption when in operation, with respect to the other transportation modes, but during construction and maintenance phases, its environmental impacts are significant and need to be carefully assessed and properly mitigated. This paper, through an extensive analysis of the recent literature, aims to provide a comprehensive framework of trends and challenges in railway sustainability, with particular attention paid to track and related materials and components, maintenance strategies, and methods of assessment of sustainability. The followed approach takes into consideration the lifespan of the track and the related main stages. The results show that: (i) several innovative sustainable materials have been introduced with significant environmental performances and limitations, mainly due to the lack of knowledge of long-term mechanical behavior; (ii) appropriate strategies of maintenance, supported by effective monitoring of the track conditions, can reduce negative effects on the environment and society and contribute to making this transportation mode greener; (iii) many devices for the automated detection of the track defects allow increasingly widespread and effective monitoring of the track and are essential means in overcoming the challenge of “smart rails”; and (iv) life cycle assessment (LCA) and circularity metrics are effective and indispensable tools in the decision-making process, since they help to quantify the potential environmental enhancement of different materials and solutions.

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1st Proctor Lecture of ISSMGE:

Cited by 31 publications

References 192 publications

Experimental characterization of track ballast under triple-fouling condition: Evidence from selected Nigerian Railways

Experimental characterization of track ballast under triple-fouling condition: Evidence from selected Nigerian Railways

Ballast Contamination Mechanisms: A Criterial Review of Characterisation and Performance Indicators

Trends and Challenges in Railway Sustainability: The State of the Art regarding Measures, Strategies, and Assessment Tools

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