Study of granulometric ranges in the behavior and useful life of railway ballast using dynamic testing equipment

Study of granulometric ranges in the behavior and useful life of railway ballast using dynamic testing equipment

Authors

  • Ronderson Queiroz Hilário Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia de Transportes e Geotecnia, Belo Horizonte/MG, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0809-9792
  • Heber da Consolação Alves Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Minas, Departamento de Engenharia Civil, Ouro Preto/MG, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2926-4870
  • Gilberto Fernandes Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Minas, Departamento de Engenharia Civil, Ouro Preto/MG, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4658-369X
  • Talita Caroline Miranda Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia de Transportes e Geotecnia, Belo Horizonte/MG, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8202-8717
  • Marcelo Franco Porto Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia de Transportes e Geotecnia, Belo Horizonte/MG, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4052-5990
  • Andreia Bicalho Henriques Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia de Minas, Belo Horizonte/MG, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5212-6527
  • Maria Victoria Campos Corcini Pereira Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia de Transportes e Geotecnia, Belo Horizonte/MG, Brasil
  • Ana Caroline da Cruz Reis Centro federal de Educação Tecnológica – CEFET-MG, Departamento de Engenharia de Transportes, Belo Horizonte/MG, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6929-3962

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21680/2447-3359.2025v11n2ID35988

Abstract

The particle size range directly influences the useful life of the ballast layer when subjected to loads generated by railway traffic. However, in Brazil, we only have two particle size ranges to be used. Those recommended by Brazilian regulatory bodies are quite uniform, and publications referring to more efficient mechanical behavior express the need for a well-graded lane, different from the lanes normally used on Brazilian roads. Therefore, the influence of the particle size of the ballast used on railways was the object of study, with the aim of verifying the mechanical behavior and its influence on the useful life of the track, mitigating the generation of fines and maintaining drainage efficiency. For this, two granulometric ranges were chosen: Range 3 of AREMA (Range A of the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards - ABNT) and Australian Range 50. For this study, using dynamic equipment that simulates railway traffic, two different granulometric ranges were analyzed, and with the data found on Cc, CNU, fineness modulus and maximum diameter, a better graduated particle size range and a particle size distribution that fit into this new range were proposed to be used, in order to improve the overlap between the grains, reducing their breakage , improving deformability, without compromising permeability.

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Published

15-11-2025

How to Cite

HILÁRIO, Ronderson Queiroz; ALVES, Heber da Consolação; FERNANDES, Gilberto; MIRANDA, Talita Caroline; PORTO, Marcelo Franco; HENRIQUES, Andreia Bicalho; PEREIRA, Maria Victoria Campos Corcini; REIS, Ana Caroline da Cruz. Study of granulometric ranges in the behavior and useful life of railway ballast using dynamic testing equipment: Study of granulometric ranges in the behavior and useful life of railway ballast using dynamic testing equipment. Notheast Geoscience Journal, [S. l.], v. 11, n. 2, p. 281–296, 2025. DOI: 10.21680/2447-3359.2025v11n2ID35988. Disponível em: https://www.periodicos.ufrn.br/revistadoregne/article/view/35988. Acesso em: 11 sep. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2025):

Section

Artigos

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