Strength properties of ballast layer, created from new and recycled crushed stone ballast

Abstract

The objective of the research is a railway ballast layer created from new and recycled ballast particles in different ratio. In order to study the possibility of using recycled ballast grains in ballast layer, it is necessary to carry out laboratory triaxial tests of ballast crushed stone with size of the particles 25-60 mm with different grain shape. Abrasion testing machine allows to reach the effect on new ballast, which is similar to abrasion of ballast particles in the railway track. Therefore, it is possible to create ballast samples from (new) mixed and recycled ballast and estimate which proportion has the strength characteristics, which are close to the ones in ballast layer created only with new ballast particles. The result of the study shows, that it makes sense to return the recycled crushed stone in a mix with a new one in order to reduce the cost on a railway maintenance.