Technology Digests / Reclaimed Ballast Characterization

TD24-014

January 7, 2025
Authors
  • Erol Tutumluer
  • Issam Qamhia
  • Stephen Wilk
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Key Findings

  • When ballast reclamation is conducted during shoulder ballast cleaning, and assuming 30 percent reclamation, the reduction in lateral track strength is estimated to be small (1 to 3 percent), but this reduction value requires field testing for validation.
  • The low reduction in lateral strength is attributed to: - The majority of the lateral strength coming from the crib and bottom ballast. - The strengthening effects of the new/reclaimed ballast mixture. - The reclaimed ballast being placed outside the regions important for lateral track strength.
  • Reclaiming during undercutting is also not anticipated to significantly change performance, if the reclaimed ballast is dropped first with the new ballast placed on top.
  • *Erol Tutumluer, UIUC *Issam Qamhia, UIUC

Reclaimed Ballast Characterization

MxV Rail partnered with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to characterize reclaimed ballast through laboratory testing. Reclaiming ballast involves putting used ballast back into the track and can reduce the amount of new ballast needed during cleaning operations. The purpose of the study was to better understand the shape characteristics of reclaimed ballast and how those characteristics are anticipated to affect certain aspects of ballast performance— specifically, lateral strength, settlement, and drainage. This work was supported by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) under its Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) Program. BALLAST RECLAMATION Ballast reclamation is the process of screening ballast during cleaning and reusing aggregate particles larger than a pre-determined sieve opening. The main benefit of ballast reclamation is the reduction of the amount of new ballast needed during ballast replacement operations. While the practice of reclaiming ballast during undercutting varies by railroad, up to 30 percent of ballast…