Polyurethane-reinforced ballasted track (PRBT) can improve the integrity of ballasted track structures and satisfy the high-stability requirements of high-speed railways. In this study, the quality evolution law of PRBT structures after being launched into train service was analyzed, and a reference for structural optimization and maintenance operation was provided. The track geometric state of the PRBT test section of a high-speed railway was measured and monitored for nearly one year after it was launched into operation, and the ballastless track of the adjacent section was selected as a reference. The geometric states of the tracks were evaluated and compared using various parameters, including sliding standard deviation, average standard deviation, and track irregularity spectrum density. Results show that the track quality indexes of the test section, which were in operation for nearly one year, were slightly over the limit. Moreover, the fastener can be finely adjusted for the high-value index sections to further improve the ride comfort. The application effect of PRBT in the subgrade fracture zone was good, which could satisfy the requirements of high-quality transportation as well as the normal operation and maintenance of high-speed railway.
NurmikoluA.Key aspects on the behaviour of the ballast and substructure of a modern railway track: research-based practical observations in Finland. J Zhejiang Univ Sci A2012;
13: 825–835.
2.
IndraratnaBNimbalkarSRujikiatkamjornC.From theory to practice in track geomechanics – Australian perspective for synthetic inclusions. Transp Geotech2014;
1: 171–187.
3.
XiaoJLLiuHXuJM, et al.
Longitudinal resistance performance of granular ballast beds under cyclic symmetric displacement loading. J Zhejiang Univ Sci A2017;
18: 648–659.
4.
PriestJAPowrieW.Determination of dynamic track modulus from measurement of track velocity during train passage. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng2009;
135: 1732–1740.
5.
BanimahdMWoodwardPKennedyJ, et al.
Three-dimensional modelling of high speed ballasted railway tracks. Proc Inst Civil Eng Transp2013;
166: 113–123.
6.
LuoYYinHHuaC.The dynamic response of railway ballast to the action of trains moving at different speeds. Proc IMechE, Part F: J Rail and Rapid Transit1996;
210: 95–101.
7.
SunQDIndraratnaBNimbalkarS.Effect of cyclic loading frequency on the permanent deformation and degradation of railway ballast. Géotechnique2014;
64: 746–751.
8.
SunQDIndraratnaBNimbalkarS.Deformation and degradation mechanisms of railway ballast under high frequency cyclic loading. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng2016;
142: 04015056.
9.
JingGQQieLCMarkineV, et al.
Polyurethane reinforced ballasted track: review, innovation and challenge. Constr Build Mater2019;
208: 734–748.
10.
WangH. Deepening Research on key technologies of polyurethane reinforced ballasted track. Report, China Academy of Railway Sciences, China, 2014.
11.
WoodwardPKEl KacimiALaghroucheO, et al.
Application of polyurethane geocomposites to help maintain track geometry for high-speed ballasted railway tracks. J Zhejiang Univ Sci A2012;
13: 836–849.
12.
WoodwardPKKennedyJMederoGM, et al.
Maintaining absolute clearances in ballasted railway tracks using in situ three-dimensional polyurethane GeoComposites. Proc IMechE, Part F: J Rail and Rapid Transit2012;
226: 257–271.
13.
KennedyJWoodwardPKMederoG, et al.
Reducing railway track settlement using three-dimensional polyurethane polymer reinforcement of the ballast. Constr Build Mater2013;
44: 615–625.
14.
PlooyRFDGrabePJ.Characterisation of rigid polyurethane foam reinforced ballast through cyclic loading box tests. J South African Inst Civil Eng2017;
59: 2–10.
15.
KeeneAKEdilTBFrattaD, et al. Modelling the effect of polyurethane stabilization on rail track response. In: Geo-congress,2013, pp.1410–1419. San Diego, CA: ASCE.
16.
ThomasSWoodwardPLaghroucheO.Influence of stiffening ballasted track bed overlying a masonry arch bridge using a polyurethane polymer material. Constr Build Mater2015;
92: 111–117.
17.
JingGQZhangXJiaWL.Lateral resistance of polyurethane-reinforced ballast with the application of new bonding schemes: laboratory tests and discrete element simulations. Constr Build Mater2019;
221: 627–636.
18.
JiangHK.Structure selection and dynamic research of polyurethane-stabilized ballast bed. MS Thesis, Beijing Jiaotong University, China, 2015.
19.
LiY.Discrete element simulation of the transition zone of high-speed railway with polyurethane reinforced ballasted bed. MS Thesis, Dalian Jiaotong University, China, 2018.
20.
WoodwardPKKennedyJLaghroucheO, et al.
Study of railway track stiffness modification by polyurethane reinforcement of the ballast. Transp Geotech2014;
1: 214–224.
21.
WangHXuYXXuLS, et al.
Study on structure and reasonable parameters of polyurethane reinforced ballasted track for heavy-haul railway. Railway Eng2014;
7: 129–132.
22.
QieLCWangHXuYX, et al.
Experimental study on mechanical performance of polyurethane solidified ballast bed. Railway Eng2015;
1: 107–112.
23.
Khakiev Z, Kruglikov A, Lazorenko G, et al. Mechanical behavior of ballasted railway track stabilized with polyurethane: a finite element analysis. In: MATEC web of conferences, vol. 251, Moscow, Russia, 2018, p.04056. Les Ulis: EDP Sciences.
24.
LingXXiaoHCuiX.Analysis of mechanical properties of polyurethane-mixed ballast based on energy method. Constr Build Mater2018;
182: 10–19.
25.
XuYQieLCWangH.Mechanical properties of polyurethane ballast bed based on discrete element method. J Tongji Univ (Nat Sci)2019;
47: 1156–1161.
26.
CaiXPZhongYLHaoXC, et al.
Dynamic behavior of a polyurethane foam solidified ballasted track in a heavy haul railway tunnel. Adv Struct Eng2019;
22: 751–764.
27.
GundavaramDHussainiSKK.Performance evaluation of polyurethane-stabilized railroad ballast under direct shear conditions. Constr Build Mater2020;
255: 119304.
28.
XiaBG.The research of high-speed comprehensive inspection train space-time calibration system based on RFID technology. MS Thesis, China Academy of Railway Sciences,
China, 2011.
29.
XuPLiuRSunQ, et al.
A novel short-range prediction model for railway track irregularity. Discrete Dyn Nat Soc2012;
2012: 1–12.
30.
JinSHZengZP.Analysis of bogl slab track irregularity of Beijing-Tianjin intercity high speed railway. J Railway Sci Eng2009;
6: 48–52.
