Abstract
In line with current ”green” transport initiatives, Croatia plans to build over the next investment period a high speed railway line which will connect central Croatia and its capital with coastal regions of the country. According to design documents, the track system will be built using ballastless concrete solutions. In the scope of the project “Concrete track system – ECOTRACK”, researchers from the University of Zagreb - Faculty of Civil Engineering analysed a new material, i.e. the rubberized hybrid fibre reinforced concrete (RHFRC), in order to find out whether its properties are adequate for the proposed concrete track system. The RHFRC contains by-products from mechanical recycling of waste tyres (rubber and steel fibres). The study of fibre and rubber interaction and their contribution to mechanical properties of the fibre reinforced concrete is presented, as extensive research on positive interaction between industrial and recycled steel fibres has not as yet been made. The results show that the RHFRC is an innovative, sustainable and cost-effective concrete, which is fully compliant with criteria prescribed in relevant standards.
Highlights
Until recently, Croatian investments mostly focused on the construction of one segment of transport infrastructure – motorways
During realization of the project “Concrete track system – ECOTRACK”, researchers from the University of Zagreb studied a new material, i.e. the rubberized hybrid fibre reinforced concrete (RHFRC), which could prove suitable for the proposed track system (Fig. 1)
Possible synergy of industrial and recycled steel fibres could result in significant economic savings, and in considerable environmental benefits, without influencing concrete properties, which is why this material can rightly be characterized as extremely viable
Summary
Croatian investments mostly focused on the construction of one segment of transport infrastructure – motorways. After becoming the EU candidate, Croatia became more oriented towards sustainable development and soon it became clear that “green” transport alternatives must be strengthened. Croatia plans to build a high speed railway line, which will connect central Croatia and its capital with coastal regions of the country. According to the design documentation, the track system will be based on ballastless concrete solutions. During realization of the project “Concrete track system – ECOTRACK”, researchers from the University of Zagreb studied a new material, i.e. the rubberized hybrid fibre reinforced concrete (RHFRC), which could prove suitable for the proposed track system (Fig. 1). As the material most commonly used in the construction of balastless concrete track systems, ordinary
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