Research: TriAx Geogrid Reduces Ballast Movement
by Mike Misitigh, on February 18, 2020
Penn State University presented research findings on ballast movement, rotation and displacement at the annual Transportation Research Board (TRB) meeting in 2016. For the study, a half section of a typical railroad track structure consisting of AREMA No. 4 ballast stone, two crossties, and a rail (I-beam) was constructed in the ballast box. Tensar TriAx Geogrid was installed 10 inches below the top of the ballast. Five hundred load cycles were applied for each test.
“SmartRock,” a wireless device with a realistic ballast particle shape, was embedded in the test sections to monitor individual ballast particle movement under cyclic loading conditions, for both stabilized and conventional sections. The results showed that the ballast movement was significantly reduced with TriAx Geogrid.
This video offers an overview of the Penn State Research and the team's key findings.
Build Higher-Performing Tracks
TriAx Geogrid is used to stabilize sub-ballast and ballast layers, decreasing required roadbed thickness while improving track performance. It is proven to increase the service life of rail track sub-structures and offer significant savings on track construction. Learn how TriAx Geogrid can benefit your railways.