The Effect of Degree of Fouling of Coal Dust on Railway Foundation Stability

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Railway ballasts and large aggregates can be fouled internally by inter particle weathering and externally by soil pumping and deposition of rail fright particles. The gradual accumulation of soil fines and coal particles on road pavements, rail ballast and sleepers affect the aggregate interlocking properties. Track maintenance and ballast replacement schedule are dependent on the different classification methods used to evaluate the degree of fouling. Uniformly graded large aggregates were fouled with different percentages of residual fines of coal dusts that were prepared at different moisture content (w). The degree of fouling of the coal dust fouled aggregates (CDFA) were classified according to the percentage of fouling (PF) and Relative ballast fouling ratio (RBFR). The interlocking properties of the fouled aggregates were investigated in a large direct shear device and the Intergranular Friction Angles (IFA) were determined. Degree of fouling up to 8% had no effect on the dry density of the aggregate, between 8 and 16% the effect of fouling was marginal, however linear relationship was indicated beyond 16% fouling. The rate of decrease of IFA was found to be dependent on the degree of fouling and moisture content of the coal material. The IFA of the CDFA tend towards the IFA of the wet coal materials as the degree of fouling increase to 20% of the dry mass of the aggregate. 20% fouling represent moderately fouled and fouled conditions in accordance with PF and RBFR fouling classifications respectively. RBFR is based on the inter aggregate void volume occupied by the fouling material and specific gravity of coal. It was found to be more sensitive to the changes in IFA than PF. Regression models of the effect of coal dust fouling on aggregate integranular and interface friction based on IFA, MC, PF and RBFR were formulated and proposed for the development of track maintenance scheme, ballast replacement schedule and standard track inspection routines.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSustainable Design and Construction for Geomaterials and Geostructures - Proceedings of the 5th GeoChina International Conference 2018 – Civil Infrastructures Confronting Severe Weathers and Climate Changes
Subtitle of host publicationFrom Failure to Sustainability, 2018 in HangZhou, China
EditorsBehzad Fatahi, Aron Mwanza, Dave T. Chang
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media B.V.
Pages234-249
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)9783319957524
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Event5th GeoChina International Conference on Civil Infrastructures Confronting Severe Weathers and Climate Changes: From Failure to Sustainability, 2018 - HangZhou, China
Duration: 23 Jul 201825 Jul 2018

Publication series

NameSustainable Civil Infrastructures
ISSN (Print)2366-3405
ISSN (Electronic)2366-3413

Conference

Conference5th GeoChina International Conference on Civil Infrastructures Confronting Severe Weathers and Climate Changes: From Failure to Sustainability, 2018
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHangZhou
Period23/07/1825/07/18

Keywords

  • Angle of friction
  • Coal dust
  • Direct shear strength
  • Fouling
  • Gravels
  • Interface shear strength
  • Maximum dry unit weight
  • Optimum moisture content
  • Percentage of fouling (PF) and relative ballast fouling ratio (RBFR)
  • Railway ballasts
  • Shear box apparatus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Computational Mechanics
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Environmental Engineering

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