Enhancing the Performance of Railway Trackbed with Vibro Stone Column Technique

Abstract

The vibro stone column (VSC) technique is a ground improvement method used to enhance the load-bearing capacity. This paper provides an overview of the VSC technique and its application in railway trackbed stabilization (TBS). The VSC technique involves installing columns of good quality stone into the soil using a vibrating probe, creating both a strong column and radial stiffening of the adjacent compressed soil; a composite ground improvement system. The paper discusses the benefits of the VSC technique, such as its efficiency, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, and its limitations in TBS. Additionally, the paper presents the results of a site trial that utilized a vision-based monitoring system to measure the effectiveness of the VSC technique in improving the trackbed stiffness. The results demonstrated that the VSC technique can be considered a reliable TBS system to improve the stiffness of subgrade and sub-ballast layers in railway trackbeds, reducing the risk of trackbed settlement and extending the life of the track. The paper concludes by summarizing the importance of VSC in railway TBS and highlighting its potential for future ground improvement projects. The use of a vision-based monitoring system further enhances the effectiveness of the VSC technique, providing real-time monitoring and analysis of trackbed conditions, enabling better decision-making and improving the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of the TBS technique.