Ballast Aggregates Research Articles

Experimental and numerical study on mechanical properties of sand-contaminated ballast aggregates in confined condition

This study investigates the impact of sand contamination on the mechanical properties of railway ballasted tracks in confined condition. A combination of experimental confined uniaxial compression tests and discrete element method (DEM) simulations was employed. The experiments assessed the bulk density and elastic modulus of ballast aggregates, while the DEM simulations focused on sand movement, coordination numbers, and contact forces to elucidate the mesoscopic behavior. Findings from both experiments and simulations consistently demonstrate that sand contamination linearly increases the bulk density and causes a non-linear increase in the elastic modulus of ballast aggregates. With increasing degrees of sand contamination under vertical loading, both coordination numbers and contact forces are reduced. Sand intrusion initially leads to an uneven distribution of sand grains, primarily in the lower layer of the ballast aggregate; however, this distribution becomes more uniform when contamination exceeds 62.5%. The presence of sand particles diminishes the contact forces between ballast particles, thereby escalating the challenges associated with maintenance and repair.

Shear strength characteristics of mixing slag-stone ballast reinforcement with tire geo-scrap using large-scale direct shear tests

AbstractUtilizing the ballast layer with more durable and stable characteristics can help avoid significant expenses due to decreased maintenance efforts. Strengthening the ballast layer with different types of reinforcements or substituting the stone aggregates with the appropriate granular materials could potentially help to achieve this goal by reducing the ballast deterioration. One of the exquisite and most effective solutions to eliminate these challenges is to use waste materials such as steel slag aggregates and useless tires. Utilizing these waste materials in the ballasted railway track will contribute to sustainable development, an eco-friendly system, and green infrastructure. So in a state-of-the-art insightful, the ballast aggregates, including a mixture of steel slag and stone aggregates, are reinforced with a novel kind of geo-grid made of waste tire strips known as geo-scraps. This laboratory research tried to explain the shear strength behavior of the introduced mixing slag-stone ballast reinforced with tire geo-scrap. To achieve this goal, a series of large-scale direct shear tests were performed on the ballast which is reinforced by tire geo-scrap and included various combinations of slag and stone aggregates. The concluded results indicate that the optimal mixing ratio is attained by a combination of 75% slag and 25% stone aggregates which is reinforced by tire geo-scrap at a placing level of 120 mm. In this case, the shear strength‌, internal friction angle, vertical displacement, and dilatancy angle of stone–slag ballast reinforced with geo-scraps exhibited average changes of + 28%, + 9%, − 28%, and − 15%, respectively.

Augmented dataset for multidimensional ballast segmentation and evaluation

Ballast plays an important role as a railway track supporting structure against repeated loading. Ballast degradation results in poor drainage, lateral instability, excessive settlement, service interruptions, and safety concerns. Therefore, utilizing efficient methods for evaluating ballast fouling is important to ensure safe railroad operations. Emerging computer vision approaches have been effectively incorporated into the ballast inspection processes to enhance their accuracy and robustness. Owing to the inherent data-driven nature of deep learning approaches, the efficacy of the developed model heavily depends on the quality of the training dataset, revealing an urgent need for a comprehensive and high-quality annotated ballast aggregate dataset. In this study, a multidimensional ballast aggregate dataset has been established which contains realistic data collected from field and laboratory setups, augmented by data produced by a synthetic ballast particle generator. In the dataset, the 2D data comprised ballast images with 2D annotations (masks) for localizing the particles in the images. The 3D data comprises height maps, point clouds, and 3D annotations for particle localization. The collected data included various environmental lighting levels and fouling conditions to ensure adequate coverage and diversity in the training dataset. A 2D ballast particle segmentation model previously developed by the authors was trained using an augmented dataset and demonstrated reliable and accurate results in field ballast inspections. The proposed dataset will be utilized in future studies, including 3D ballast particle segmentation and shape completion, to aid in the inspection and investigative methods for effective ballast maintenance.

Mechanical behavior and performance evolution of railway ballast track under dynamic stabiliser based on the hybrid MBD-DEM simulation

The uncertainty in local structure and time-variable compaction of ballast aggregates poses challenges in selecting suitable stabilization methods and parameters for ballast tracks in practical engineering, often resulting in suboptimal operational outcomes. To address this issue comprehensively, the spatial hybrid model of the double dynamic stabilisers-ballast track (MBD-DEM) is proposed in this paper. Subsequent numerical simulations of stabilisation operations are conducted to elucidate ballast vibration, migration behavior and the evolution of ballast track resistance under varying initial conditions of the ballast bed. Initially, leveraging multibody dynamics theory (MBD) and discrete element method (DEM), a MBD model of double stabilisers and a DEM ballast track model containing 6 sleepers were established respectively. Using the coupling interface, the real-time hybrid calculation of these two models is achieved through 6 sleepers in the middle of the ballast bed. Subsequently, the model's accuracy was validated by comparing test data from stabilisation vehicle operations on a Kunming Railway Bureau test line with simulation data from the dynamic double stabilisers-ballast track spatial hybrid model. Finally, utilizing the proposed hybrid model, the dynamic behavior, contact states, and movement rules of ballast particles during stabilisation operations on both loose and initially stable ballast beds (LBB and ISBB) were investigated at the mesoscopic scale. Concurrently, an in-depth analysis of lateral resistance changes in the ballast bed before and after the stabilisation operation is presented. The relevant findings effectively unveil the evolution of dynamic behavior in the ballast bed during stabilisation operations, concluding with practical suggestions for on-site operations. Simulation results illustrate that the rotation of ballast particles in the XY plane beneath each sleeper is predominantly characterized by harmonic rotation. With an increase in the depth of the ballast bed, the range of the rotation axis for combined angular velocity diminishes, leading to the phenomenon of rotation axis deflection. To ensure operational safety and efficiency, a minimum of two-times stabilization operations is recommended for loose ballast beds (LBB), with three-times operations considered optimal. For initially stable ballast beds (ISBB), one-time stabilization operation is basically sufficient.

Investigating the effect of ballast contamination in vertical and shear interlocking stiffness: Experimental and numerical study

The maintenance of railway tracks faces a significant challenge due to ballast contamination. This issue arises from the inevitable ingress of fine particles into the track structure through various means, such as fine sands, coal infiltration, aggregate breakage, and substructure pumping. Climate change exacerbates these conditions, leading to increased external debris contamination and the accelerated degradation of ballast aggregates. This contamination has major consequences, impacting track quality in terms of drainage capacity and dynamic behavior. As a response to this, the study focuses on assessing ballast contamination from sand infiltration, specifically evaluating vertical and shear interlocking stiffness through a dedicated experimental setup for ballast behavior analysis. Using materials from an actual track, contamination levels from clean to 30 % were simulated, and an empirical formulation of contaminated ballast stiffness was derived based on laboratory tests. Moreover, numerical sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the impacts of ballast contamination on the dynamic behavior of track components. The findings indicate a significant increase in dynamic track responses up to a 30 % contamination level, based on gravimetric measurements, leading to substantial increases in maximum absolute accelerations of sleeper and ballast layer as well as exerted forces on the ballast layer by about 28 %, 21 %, and 46 %, respectively.

Multi-Phase flow simulation for transient analysis of ballast drainage behavior and shoulder cleaning effect

This paper presents multi-phase flow simulations to analyze the transient transport of rain droplets through rail ballast and its dependence on fouling conditions and shoulder cleaning. The entire process consisting of random rain droplet injection, droplet migration through the air, falling on the ballast surface, drainage through the void spaces between ballast aggregates, and running off the ballasts are modeled. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed, in which the volume of fluid (VOF) method and Darcy-Forchheimer's equation are employed to capture the gas–liquid mixture interface and consider fouling-induced flow resistance, respectively. The model is implemented as an interFoam solver in the OpenFOAM CFD tool. A method for determining trapped moisture inside the fouled and moderately fouled ballast layers is also presented. Parametric simulations are conducted to investigate the effect of fouling conditions, more specifically, Fouling Index (FI), Fouling Profile (FP), and shoulder cleaning on ballasts' drainage performance and time-dependent moisture accumulation and penetration. The results indicate that severe congestion in fouled ballast is responsible for higher moisture accumulation, slower penetration, and poorer drainage of ballast. Shoulder cleaning is an effective measure to reopen flow passage and restore drainage capability, in particular, for the fouled ballast.

Sustainable Performance of Recycled Rubber and Mining Waste Utilized for Efficient Rail Infrastructure

AbstractUtilizing waste byproducts from mining industries and recycled rubber as alternate materials in railway tracks promotes sustainability of transportation infrastructure, while also increasing track longevity by reducing ballast degradation. This paper provides an overview of two such applications including (i) rubber-intermixed ballast stratum (RIBS) by replacing 10% ballast aggregates with granulated rubber particles with the particle sizes carefully selected according to Australian Standards, (ii) synthetic energy absorbing layer using a mixture of steel furnace slag, coal wash and rubber crumbs to replace traditional capping layer. These materials when tested using large-scale triaxial apparatus and field trials proved that tracks with waste materials performed better than the conventional ballasted tracks by reducing ballast breakage and exploiting the higher damping potential of these materials. Though the vertical deformations of the track slightly increased by using these materials albeit within the specified standards, the overall stability improved by reduced dilation and track vibrations. Increasing the life of ballast layer can lead to long-term cost benefits by saving millions of dollars in track maintenance and provide environment benefits through minimizing quarrying of natural rock aggregates and reducing the carbon footprint of mining industries.

Influence of vibration on sub-ballast layer induced by loading application on a fouled track ballast

The railway track’s sub-ballast layer is important, but it is often neglected, leading to the contamination and blockage of voids, as well as track deformation and degradation. These issues occur when fouling materials infiltrate the subballast due to load-induced vibration. The purposes of this paper are to investigate the influence of vibration on the sub-ballast layer when loads are applied to a fouled ballast and to determine whether sub-ballast saturation should be ignored. A ballast box was fabricated to represent actual railway conditions and filled with 100 kg of ballast aggregates containing fouling materials (crushed ballast, sand, clay, and coal) proportional to the ballast weight. In addition, a vibratory compactor plate machine was used to simulate load on the fouled ballast, inducing vibrations that caused fouling materials to migrate into the sub-ballast. The results indicate that 18% of crushed ballast, 20% of sand, 20.7% of clay, and 15% of coal infiltrated the sub-ballast due to loading-induced vibration, and fouling infiltration percentages rose as vibration from loading increased. These percentages exceeded the standard 10% weight of fouling infiltration into the sub-ballast, indicating an unfavourable subballast condition and showing that sub-ballast saturation should not be ignored. These findings have significant implications for maintenance engineers, as they underscore the need for continuous monitoring and upkeep to ensure optimal sub- ballast performance.

A prediction model for railroad ballast resilient modulus considering cyclic loading duration ratio

Railroad ballast aggregate significantly contributes to load distribution, drainage, and track resilience. Over time, the resilience degrades due to factors like ballast breakage, permanent deformation, and mud pumping, necessitating regular, resource-intensive maintenance. Thus, investigating the influential factors of resilient modulus and accurately correlating them can assist in cost-effective maintenance planning. This study used large-scale triaxial tests with varied loading waveforms to investigate their impact on resilient modulus. A new index, the Cyclic Loading Duration Ratio (CLDR), was introduced to quantify loading waveforms with different rest periods. Our experimental results indicate that the cyclic loading duration period controls the resilient modulus of granular material by varying the loading rates, while unloading duration and rest periods do not affect the resilient modulus. With increasing CLDR, resilient modulus initially decreases, but begins to ascend when CLDR falls above 0.20. Building on these findings, an empirical correlation model incorporating the CLDR for the resilient modulus of railroad ballast is proposed. The validation results show this proposed model outperforms existing ones in correlating the resilient modulus with cyclic loading waveforms.

Bonded particle model for dilated polyhedron considering fracture modes and its application to lateral resistance of ballast bed in cold regions

Considering the spatial arrangement characteristics of bonded irregular particle systems, this paper first constructs irregular dilated polyhedron elements based on the Voronoi cutting algorithm and Minkowski Sum theory. Subsequently, by extending the traditional sphere-based BPM (Bonded Particle Model) to irregular particle elements, a novel dilated polyhedron bonding-breaking model considering different fracture modes is developed under arbitrary contact modes. A collision example between two bonded square particles and a rigid plate is adopted to verify the stability of the model. Later, the difference between the tensile-shear fracture mode and the mixed fracture mode with damage process for contact bond is compared by the discrete element simulations of the tension-fracture behavior between two bonded square particles and the uniaxial compression simulation of frozen ballast aggregate. Finally, the influence of section size on the lateral resistance of the ballast bed structure at low temperatures is discussed using the dilated polyhedron BPM. The results showed that the developed dilated polyhedron BPM considering different fracture modes can realize mechanical behaviours between bonded irregular particles. Compared with the tensile-shear fracture mode, the mixed fracture mode not only considers the combined effect of normal and tangential stress on the bond but also realizes the damage deformation and stiffness attenuation of the bond, which can achieve the “delayed” fracture effect. Meanwhile, the model also shows good reliability in analyzing large-scale engineering problems, such as the mechanical performance of low-temperature ballast beds. The research effectively develops the bonding and breaking model of irregular elements and provides a new perspective for the contact-bond-fracture behavior simulation of irregular granular materials.

Effect of rock strength on the degradation of ballast equipped with under sleeper pad using discrete element method

This study investigates the influence of Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) of ballast rock cores and the Bedding Modulus of Under Sleeper Pads (USP-BM) on railway track deterioration, investigating key factors such as settlement and aggregate fragmentation through Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations. These simulations encompass three scenarios representing different types of ballast aggregates: without a pad, with a soft pad, and with a hard pad, with rock cores categorized by UCS values into soft (159 MPa), medium (210 MPa), and hard (285 MPa) classes. The model involves cyclic loading of a sleeper section embedded in ballast, subject to fluctuating vertical loads between 3 and 43 kN at a frequency of 3 Hz, with a total of 15 load cycles applied to emulate real-world conditions, and its accuracy is confirmed through experimental validation. The study concludes that a soft USP is most effective in mitigating ballast settlement and breakage, highlighting the pivotal role of UCS values of ballast rock cores in the management of track deterioration.

Effects of Particle Size and Grading on the Breakage of Railway Ballast: Laboratory Testing and Numerical Modeling

Ballast is coarse aggregate with particle size normally ranging from 10 mm to 65 mm. Upon repeated train loading, ballast deteriorates in the form of either continuous abrasion of sharp corners or size degradation, which have been reported as the fundamental cause for the instability of railway tracks. In this study, the splitting behavior of ballast grain with varying particle sizes under diametrical compression was examined to investigate the size effect and the Weibull characteristics of ballast tensile strength; a Weibull modulus of 2.35 was measured for the tested granite ballast. A series of large-scale monotonic triaxial tests on ballast aggregates having various size gradings was performed to study the effect of particle gradation on the mechanical behavior of ballast. The results show that compared to mono-sized uniformly distributed aggregates, non-uniformly distributed aggregates generally have greater shear strength, larger peak friction angle, 50% strength modulus, and greater volumetric dilation. The ballast aggregate conforming to the recommended PSD as per current standards exhibited the most superior mechanical performance, possessing the greatest shear strength, peak friction angle, and 50% strength modulus. Micromechanical analysis showed that aggregates with larger d50 values have higher coordination numbers, inter-particle contact forces, and higher anisotropy level of contact normals, thus causing a greater possibility of particle breakage during shearing.

Experimental investigation of mixing railway ballast grains with different form using large-scale direct shear box apparatus

This paper investigates the effect of grain form on the mechanical behaviour of a railway ballast aggregate using large-scale shear box tests. The speciality of the research is that – contrarily to most of the experimental studies, where the shape content of the assemblies are not manipulated – here, the grains were carefully sorted and the ballast samples were assembled with the desired size and form content. A new sorting method was developed for laboratory-scale samples to separate compact and non-compact (flat, elongated or bladed) grains. This method utilises the combination of standard bar sieves and shape index calliper. The geometries of the grains in the resultant assemblies were thoroughly investigated using modern 3D imaging-based shape characterisation methods. With the adequate parameter thresholds, good correspondence was found between the standard industrial and the modern imaging-based methods, which allows the virtual reproduction of the introduced laboratory sorting technique. Three types of andesite railway ballast assemblies were tested experimentally: a fully compact, a fully non-compact and a mixed one. The mixed assembly had the highest internal friction angle which proves that it can be beneficial to mix grains with different types form. The amount of broken mass and the failure modes of the grains were also recorded, and it was found that the non-compact assembly had the highest rate of breakage. The results of the study also serve as a good basis for the calibration of numerical models.

Performance of Geogrid-Reinforced Rubber-Coated Ballast and Natural Ballast Mix under Direct Shear Conditions

Rubber-coated ballast (RCB) is a new innovative ballast aggregate obtained by coating natural aggregates with recycled crumb rubber by using polyurethane binder. The objective of RCB is to reduce the ballast degradation, thereby reducing the deterioration of rail track geometry and also maintenance costs. Natural ballast; crumb rubber of sizes 0.4, 0.8, and 2 mm; Elastan polyurethane; and geogrid (triangular, 69 mm aperture size) were used in this study. The results of abrasion, impact value, and soundness tests show that RCB has a higher resistance to abrasion, impact, and weathering compared to natural ballast. Subsequently, the shear behavior and particle breakage of natural ballast, RCB, unreinforced, and geogrid-reinforced RCB–natural ballast mix was explored using the large-scale direct shear apparatus at different normal stresses and shearing rates (Sr). The test results indicate that due to rubber coating the peak friction angle (φ) of RCB samples reduces as compared to natural ballast. The reduction in φ of RCB samples is attributed to a change in surface texture. Moreover, 0.4-RCB (RCB made with rubber crumbs of size 0.4 mm) shows the least reduction in φ compared to 0.8-RCB and 2-RCB (RCB made with rubber crumbs of size 0.8 and 2 mm). It was further observed that with the increase in proportion of 0.4-RCB in geogrid-reinforced natural ballast both the peak friction angle and particle breakage (Bg) of ballast decreased significantly. The current study established the optimum content of 0.4-RCB to be mixed with geogrid-reinforced natural ballast to be in the range of 44%–53%.Practical ApplicationsThe problem of excessive degradation of ballast particles and the associated changes in the track geometry owing to the repeated application of heavy axle loads is addressed by coating the natural ballast with crumb rubber generated from waste tires. The rubber-coated ballast (RCB) is found to offer better abrasion, impact, and weathering resistance when compared to natural ballast. Moreover, it undergoes negligible particle breakage under direct shear conditions. The decrease in the extent of particle breakage helps in reducing the frequency of ballast replacement operations and hence tracks maintenance costs. Furthermore, RCB, when reinforced with geogrid, offers better shear strength than that of natural ballast alone. These observations imply that the tracks with geogrid-reinforced RCB can effectively reduce the risk of track instability.

Laboratory Investigation on Preplaced Ballast Aggregate Concrete Deterioration over Freezing–Thawing Cycles

One of the major gaps in previous research on the mechanical behavior of ballasted railway tracks converted into slab tracks using the preplaced aggregate concrete technique is its durability against freezing and thawing cycles. The present study pioneers at investigating the Preplaced Ballast Aggregate Concrete (PBAC) deterioration during freezing–thawing cycles, in which several freeze–thaw tests were carried out to measure the weight loss of PBAC samples during various freezing–thawing cycles, as well as the reduction in both compressive/tensile strengths and the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity. Moreover, the image acquisition of the PBAC samples was performed using a digital microscope and subsequently, an image processing technique was utilized to find a relation between the surface defect area at each imposed cycle and the number of cycles as a lifetime representative. As a result, an equation was developed to predict the defect frequency versus imposed cycles and the defect area generated to find the serviceability lifetime of PBAC in aggressive weather conditions. It was concluded that such PBAC can tolerate 6.16 years in the regions with full freezing–thawing weather conditions.

Railway ballast aggregate characterization through a new strength index: Preliminary suitability evaluation of an industrial by-product for a railway application

Ballast is a layer of the railway infrastructure that ensures the correct geometric position of track equipment, distributing vertical loads on the underlying layers. Ballast is composed by aggregate grains of adequate grading, containing a consistent number of voids and a medium–low fine content.The aggregates of ballast must be tested in the laboratory to ascertain the suitability for their use under construction or maintenance. In this work, the physical–mechanical characteristics of different types of aggregate (natural and “artificial”) were evaluated to verify their acceptability as ballast under the Italian specifications. All the aggregates came from Italian production plants. One “artificial” aggregate (steel slag) was used to assess if it can be used instead of the natural aggregate on a railway line in Italy. A mixture of natural and artificial aggregates was also tested for comparison purposes. An index from Point Load Test was also assessed to predict the main physical–mechanical characteristics provided by the laboratory tests.The artificial aggregate shows excellent physical–mechanical properties, compared to the natural one, indicating that the tested by-product can replace the natural aggregate. The mixture of natural and artificial aggregates can guarantee the preservation of natural resources and solve supply difficulties of by-products, maintaining very good physical–mechanical characteristics.In general, the Los Angeles index (both before and after the freeze-thawing cycles) shows a good correlation with the Point Load Strength Index for the tested ballast aggregates. Starting from this result, the Point Load Test could be used to characterize ballast aggregates. A statistical analysis was also performed on the other physical–mechanical parameters: a good correlation was found in some cases, indicating that the Point Load Strength Index can provide a first indication of the other physical–mechanical characteristics of ballast aggregates.

Laboratory assessment of rubber grid-reinforced ballast under impact testing

This study presents the use of rubber grids (RGs) fabricated from end-of-life conveyor belts (i.e. discarded from the mining industry) to improve the performance of ballast tracks. The square apertures of these recycled rubber sheets were cast using a waterjet cutting process. A series of large-scale impact tests were performed on ballast specimens stabilised with three different grids of varied effective area ratios (KA.eff) to evaluate their effectiveness in mitigating the applied impact forces, in relation to both displacement and breakage of the ballast aggregates. Smart Ballast particles with motion-sensing capabilities were adopted to monitor the interaction between the grid and ballast assembly. The impact test results indicate that the inclusion of a RG decreases the deformation and breakage of ballast as well as reduces its vibrations. This study demonstrates that these recycled RGs with optimum effective area ratios can be more effective than conventional polymer geogrids, apart from the obvious environmental benefits.

The Effect of Waste Ballast Aggregates on Mechanical and Durability Properties of Standard Concrete

The acquisition and transportation of aggregate exacerbate the negative impact of concrete on the environment, and waste materials are considered an effective solution to this crucial problem. One of these waste materials is waste ballast (WB), which is needed for new infrastructure along with increasing rail track technology. In this study, the effect of WB aggregate (which is basalt-based) on the mechanical and durability properties of standard concrete was examined. Coarse aggregate was replaced with WB aggregate at the rates of 50%, 75% and 100%. The slump, compressive strength, flexural strength, capillary water absorption, rapid chloride permeability and water penetration tests on the mixtures were performed. According to the results of this study, the utilization of WB improved the compressive strength and flexural strength of the mixtures by about 15% and 7%, respectively. Moreover, the capillary water absorption, rapid chloride permeability and water penetration values of all the concrete mixtures with WB were lower than the control mixture. In addition, the correlation relations between the mechanical and durability properties indicated that they have a strong relationship with each other. All the results of this study demonstrated that the utilization of WB instead of coarse aggregate improved the mechanical and durability properties of concrete. WB can also provide a more sustainable material formation by minimizing the negative environmental effects of concrete production.

Coupled DEM-FEM methods for analyzing contact stress between railway ballast and subgrade considering real particle shape characteristic

To investigate the stress concentration at the interface between crushed ballast and soil subgrade, this study developed a coupling program of discrete element method (DEM) and finite element method (FEM) using OOFEM and YADE software. Based on the penalty function method, an interface element was introduced for the DEM-FEM coupling simulation. Moreover, an adaptive volume coupling algorithm was proposed to address the unrestricted behavior of the particles across the interface elements. Therefore, the change in the interface contact stress distribution was analyzed in the process of ballast particles penetrating the subgrade soil. Based on the statistical analysis of the ballast shape scanning results, a morphology reconstruction method was adopted to restore the real irregular shapes of the ballasts. Consequently, a DEM-FEM coupling model of a ballasted railway was established and validated through laboratory test results. The meso-scale mechanism revealed the discontinuous characteristics of the contact stress caused by the ballast aggregates. In addition, the adaptive volume coupling algorithm in the case of ballast penetrating subgrade soil was preliminarily proven to be reasonable. This study provides a more accurate approach for calculating the interface stress between ballast and subgrade, which can support a further refined analysis of ballast railway subgrade deterioration.

Behavior of sand-contaminated ballast reinforced with geogrid under cyclic loading

A ballasted railway track is contaminated when passes through sandy areas. Due to sand penetration into the ballast voids, mechanical behavior of tracks deteriorates. Despite the dynamic nature of the load in the railway system, mechanical behavior of ballast reinforced with geogrid and contaminated with sand under cyclic loading have not been investigated. To study the influence of geogrid on improvement of cyclic mechanical properties of contaminated ballast, extensive laboratory tests were performed in this research. To this end, a ballast box machine was used in order to model in-situ cyclic loads. The tests were carried out on ballast samples contaminated with various sand dosages and reinforced with different geogrids. The results indicate that sand materials make ballast aggregates move and slide easier, causing more ballast settlement. It was shown that by geogrid reinforcement, settlement decreases (up to 75%), degradation (breakage) of ballast reduces (up to 23%), and its stiffness increases (up to 50%). An innovative model was developed which takes into account sand content and geogrid reinforcement that provides the settlement of ballast. An effective method of geogrid reinforcement for obtaining the best performance of ballast under cyclic loading was derived.