Overview
The main objectives and innovations of the project are:
i) Development of an innovative system for trains weighting while allowing for the monitoring of traffic loads and track response.
ii) Design of high performance binders for the manufacturing of more durable and resistant materials to support future traffic conditions.
iii) Development of components from the high performance binders for their application in the structure of the track section.
iv) Design and tuning of new laboratory tests for the study of materials and section elements under real conditions expected in railway tracks.
Funding
Results
RESULTS
- The new weighting system aimed to reduce the time for trains weighting while monitoring the mechanical response of the track under traffic loads.
- The high performance binders would improve the durability and resistance of the asphalt materials, which would allow the reduction in the thickness of foundation layers, and therefore, their costs.
- The improved asphalt components would reduce section degradation by increasing the bearing capacity of track, while obtaining higher homogeneity along the line which would reduce the need for maintenance.
- The development of more realistic laboratory tests, joined to the design of high performance bituminous solutions, would allow for the optimisation of the design of the substructure, and therefore, of the global track section. In addition, the correlation of results from laboratory tests with real track response would collaborate to predict track failures.