Polyurethane-based stabilization of railroad ballast – a critical review

ABSTRACT In the recent past, the use of polyurethane polymers to stabilize the ballast is on rise. This paper presents a critical review of different polyurethane stabilization techniques used across the world to treat railroad ballast. The main aim is to explore the effect of polyurethane polymers on the bonding between the ballast particles and its subsequent role in improving the ballast strength and reducing the track settlements. A review of literature reveals that the polyurethane coating enhances the shear strength and reduces the ballast degradation under direct shear conditions. The polyurethane treated ballast has also shown lesser vertical settlement and plastic strain compared to untreated ballast under cyclic loading. These findings are supported by the results from numerical simulations as well. The field studies on polyurethane treated ballast have also confirmed the role of polymer in strengthening the ballast that eventually reduces the track maintenance costs.

[1]  .May ..id.  University of Illinois , 1919, The Grants Register 2021.

[2]  F S Rostler,et al.  STUDY OF METHODS OF STABILIZING CONVENTIONAL BALLAST USING POLYMERS. FINAL REPORT ON CONTRACT MODIFICATION NO. 3 , 1966 .

[3]  G. M. Magee.  STABILIZED BALLAST INVESTIGATION , 1969 .

[4]  H. E. Stewart,et al.  Predicted and Measured Resilient Response of Track , 1982 .

[5]  L. Mathiasson,et al.  Amines: possible causative agents in the development of bronchial hyperreactivity in workers manufacturing polyurethanes from isocyanates. , 1983, British journal of industrial medicine.

[6]  Richard J. Bathurst,et al.  GEOGRID REINFORCEMENT OF BALLASTED TRACK , 1987 .

[7]  Ernest T. Selig,et al.  Track Geotechnology and Substructure Management , 1995 .

[8]  G. Raymond.  Reinforced ballast behaviour subjected to repeated load , 2002 .

[9]  D. Randall,et al.  The polyurethanes book , 2002 .

[10]  Buddhima Indraratna,et al.  A laboratory study on improvement of railway ballast and formation using geosynthetics , 2004 .

[11]  Peter Keith Woodward,et al.  Cost Effective Solution of Persistent Track Faults Using XiTRACK GeoComposite Technology , 2005 .

[12]  Buddhima Indraratna,et al.  Effect of confining pressure on the degradation of ballast under cyclic loading , 2005 .

[13]  Buddhima Indraratna,et al.  Geotechnical properties of ballast and the role of geosynthetics in rail track stabilisation , 2006 .

[14]  Peter Keith Woodward,et al.  Geocomposite technology: reducing railway maintenance , 2007 .

[15]  P. Woodward,et al.  THREE-DIMENSIONAL TRACK REINFORCEMENT USING POLYMER GEOCOMPOSITES , 2009 .

[16]  S. Lakusic,et al.  Track stability using ballast bonding method , 2010 .

[17]  David K. Bower,et al.  Polyurethane Coating of Railroad Ballast Aggregate for Improved Performance , 2010 .

[18]  Jingli Zhang,et al.  Environmentally Friendly Polyurethane Composites: Preparation, Characterization and Mechanical Properties , 2010 .

[19]  Justin Kennedy,et al.  A full-scale laboratory investigation into railway track substructure performance and ballast reinforcement , 2011 .

[20]  David K. Bower,et al.  Characterization of Polyurethane Coated Railroad Ballast Behavior , 2011 .

[21]  Tuncer B. Edil,et al.  Mitigating Ballast Fouling and Enhancing Rail Freight Capacity , 2012 .

[22]  Peter Keith Woodward,et al.  Application of polyurethane geocomposites to help maintain track geometry for high-speed ballasted railway tracks , 2012 .

[23]  Syeung-Youl Lee,et al.  Consideration on Track Ballast Binder of Urethane Ingredient Spray Methods , 2012 .

[24]  Justin Kennedy,et al.  Application of in situ polyurethane geocomposite beams to improve the passive shoulder resistance of railway track , 2012 .

[25]  Michael Szycher,et al.  Szycher's Handbook of Polyurethanes , 2012 .

[26]  Jinhui Li,et al.  Recycling and disposal methods for polyurethane foam wastes , 2012 .

[27]  Justin Kennedy,et al.  Maintaining absolute clearances in ballasted railway tracks using in situ three-dimensional polyurethane GeoComposites , 2012 .

[28]  D. Fratta,et al.  Modeling the Effect of Polyurethane Stabilization on Rail Track Response , 2013 .

[29]  Justin Kennedy,et al.  Reducing railway track settlement using three-dimensional polyurethane polymer reinforcement of the ballast , 2013 .

[30]  Syed Khaja Karimullah Hussaini,et al.  The lateral displacement response of geogrid-reinforced ballast under cyclic loading , 2013 .

[31]  EbrahimiAli,et al.  Deformational behavior of fouled railway ballast , 2015 .

[32]  Buddhima Indraratna,et al.  Performance assessment of geogrid-reinforced railroad ballast during cyclic loading , 2015 .

[33]  Dante Fratta,et al.  Field Validation of Polyurethane Technology in Remediating Rail Substructure and Enhancing Rail Freight Capacity , 2016 .

[34]  Morteza Esmaeili,et al.  Laboratory and field investigation of the effect of geogrid-reinforced ballast on railway track lateral resistance , 2017 .

[35]  Buddhima Indraratna,et al.  Stabilization of track substructure with geo-inclusions—experimental evidence and DEM simulation , 2017 .

[36]  Alexander Kruglikov,et al.  Strengthening of the railway ballast section shoulder with two-component polymeric binders , 2017 .

[37]  S. Lee,et al.  An experimental study on the characteristics of polyurethane-mixed coarse aggregates by large-scale triaxial test , 2017 .

[38]  A. Oushabi,et al.  An experimental investigation on morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of date palm particles reinforced polyurethane composites as new ecological insulating materials in building , 2017 .

[39]  Richard D. Wood,et al.  Center for the Polyurethanes Industry summary of unpublished industrial hygiene studies related to the evaluation of emissions of spray polyurethane foam insulation , 2017, Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene.

[40]  M. Sol-Sánchez,et al.  Review of the design and maintenance technologies used to decelerate the deterioration of ballasted railway tracks , 2017 .

[41]  Du Plooy,et al.  Characterisation of rigid polyurethane foam reinforced ballast through cyclic loading box tests , 2017 .

[42]  D. Simón,et al.  Recycling of polyurethanes from laboratory to industry, a journey towards the sustainability. , 2018, Waste management.

[43]  Syed Khaja Karimullah Hussaini,et al.  Effect of shearing rate on the behavior of geogrid-reinforced railroad ballast under direct shear conditions , 2018, Geotextiles and Geomembranes.

[44]  U. Cabulis,et al.  Cleaner production of polyurethane foam: Replacement of conventional raw materials, assessment of fire resistance and environmental impact , 2018 .

[45]  Akbar Danesh,et al.  Evaluating the influence of ballast degradation on its shear behaviour , 2018 .