Ballastless track on railway bridges

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24425/ace.2025.155122

Abstract

This study focuses on problems related to the application of ballastless track on railway bridges. The different kinds of this track are presented, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Special attention is given to the generated vibration and noise by moving trains and their influence on the behaviour of the bridge structure. Methods of dumping are presented too. Transfer of longitudinal forces in the lateral and longitudinal directions is given. The interaction between the continuous welded rail and the bridge structure is written. Longitudinal resistance of the fastening system for ballastless track is also given. The use of a sealing layer between the track and the bridge deck is considered. Problems relating to the uplift of the girder ends are given. Cracks in the concrete elements of ballastless track on the bridge structure are considered. Some of the solutions to the problems mentioned above are given in general design rules produced by different organizations, and some are or will be given in current or prepared standards.

References

[1] C.F. Bonnett, Practical Railway Engineering. London: Imperial College Press, 2010.

[2] I. Nowosińska, “Problemy wyboru konstrukcji nawierzchni – analiza metodą ANKOT”, Problemy Kolejnictwa, vol. 155, pp. 72-92, 2012.

[3] Ł. Chudyba, “Porównanie kolejowej nawierzchni podsypkowej z bezpodsypkową”, TTS Technika Transportu Szynowego, no. 9, pp. 40-45, 2018.

[4] Recommendations for Design & Calculation of Ballastless Track. Paris: UIC, 2008.

[5] EN 13146-1:2019 – Railway applications – Track – Test methods for fastening systems – Part 1: Determination of longitudinal rail restraint. CEN, 2019.

[6] EN 1991-2:2003 – Eurocode 1: Actions on structures – Part 2: Traffic loads on bridges. CEN, 2003.

[7] EN 16432-1:2017 – Railway applications – Ballastless track systems – Part 1: General requirements. CEN, 2017.

[8] EN 16432-2:2017 – Railway applications – Ballastless track systems – Part 2: System design, subsystems and components. CEN, 2017.

[9] EN 16432-3:2021 – Railway applications – Ballastless track systems – Part 3: Acceptance. CEN, 2021.

[10] prEN 16432-4:2024 – Railway applications – Ballastless track systems – Part 4: Special ballastless track systems for attenuation of vibration. CEN, 2024.

[11] C. Kraśkiewicz, W. Oleksiewicz, M. Płudowska-Zagrajek, and C. Lipko, “Overview of vibroacoustic isolators used in railway tracks”, MATEC Web of Conferences, vol. 219, no. 05001, 2018, doi: 10.1051/matecconf/201821905001.

[12] C. Kraśkiewicz, M. Urbaniak, and A. Piotrowski, “Experimental Study on the Elastic Support in a Discrete Rail Fastening System Used in Ballastless Tram Track Structures”, Materials, vol. 18, no. 1, 2025, doi: 10.3390/ma18010141.

[13] EN 13481-5:2022 – Railway applications – Track – Performance requirements for fastening systems – Part 5: Fastening systems for ballastless tracks. CEN, 2022.

[14] EN 17282:2020-10 Railway applications – Infrastructure – Under ballast mats. CEN, 2020.

[15] DIN 45673-5:2010-08 Mechanical vibration. Resilient elements used in railway tracks. Part 5: Laboratory test procedures for under-ballast mats, 2010.

[16] EN 17682:2022 Railway applications – Infrastructure – Resilient element for floating slab system. CEN, 2022.

[17] DIN 45673-7:2010-08 Mechanical vibration. Resilient elements used in railway tracks. Part 7: Laboratory test procedures for resilient elements of floating slab track systems, 2010.

[18] IRS 70719-1:2022-08: Way and Works – Track and Structure – Recommendations for the use of Under Ballast Mats (UBM).

[19] C. Kraśkiewicz, A. Zbiciak, A. Al Sabouni-Zawadzka, and K. Wasilewski, “Ageing tests with high temperatures of prototype vibroacoustic isolators – under ballast mats (UBMs) based on recycled materials”, Archives of Civil Engineering, vol. 70, no. 2, pp. 215-232, 2024, doi: 10.24425/ace.2024.149860.

[20] C. Kraśkiewicz, A. Zbiciak, W. Oleksiewicz, and A. Piotrowski, “The influence of selected static and dynamic parameters of resilient mats on vibration reduction of railway tracks”, MATEC Web of Conferences, vol. 219, 2018, doi: 10.1051/matecconf/201821905002.

[21] C. Kraśkiewicz, P. Majnert, A. Al Sabouni-Zawadzka, P. Mossakowski, and M. Zarzycki, “Experimental Evaluation of Under Slab Mats (USMs) Made from End-of-Life Tires for Ballastless Tram Track Applications”, Materials, vol. 17, no. 21, 2024, doi: 10.3390/ma17215388.

[22] A. Zbiciak, C. Kraśkiewicz, S. Dudziak, Al Sabouni-Zawadzka, and J. Pełczyński, “An accurate method for fast assessment of under slab mats (USM) performance in ballastless track structures”, Construction and Building Materials, vol. 300, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123953.

[23] C. Kraśkiewicz, A. Zbiciak, J. Pełczyński, and A. Al Sabouni-Zawadzka, “Experimental and numerical testing of prototypical under ballast mats (UBMs) produced from deconstructed tires – The effect of mat thickness”, Construction and Building Materials, vol. 369, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.130559.

[24] A. Zbiciak, C. Kraśkiewicz, W. Oleksiewicz, M. Płudowska-Zagrajek, and C. Lipko, “Mechanical modelling and application of vibroacoustic isolators in railway tracks”, MATEC Web of Conferences, vol. 117, 2017, doi: 10.1051/matecconf/201711700090.

[25] C. Kraśkiewicz, A. Zbiciak, A. Al Sabouni-Zawadzka, and M. Marczak, “Analysis of the Influence of Fatigue Strength of Prototype Under Ballast Mats (UBMs) on the Effectiveness of Protection against Vibration Caused by Railway Traffic”, Materials, vol. 14, no. 9, 2021, doi: 10.3390/ma14092125.

[26] A. Zbiciak, C. Kraśkiewicz, W. Oleksiewicz, and C. Lipko, “Viscoelastic dynamic models of resilient elements used in railway tracks”, MATEC Web of Conferences, vol. 86, 2016, doi: 10.1051/matecconf/20168601015.

[27] C. Kraśkiewicz, B. Chmielewska, A. Zbiciak, and A. Al Sabouni-Zawadzka, “Study on Possible Application of Rubber Granulate from the Recycled Tires as an Elastic Cover of Prototype Rail Dampers, with a Focus on Their Operational Durability”, Materials, vol. 14, no. 19, 2021, doi: 10.3390/ma14195711.

[28] C. Kraśkiewicz, G. Klekot, P. Książka, A. Zbiciak, P. Mossakowski, P. Chacińska, and A. Al Sabouni- Zawadzka, “Field Experiment as a Tool to Verify The Effectiveness of Prototype Track Structure Components Aimed at Reducing Railway Noise Nuisance”, Archives of Acoustics, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 61-71, 2024, doi: 10.24425/aoa.2024.148770.

[29] C. Kraśkiewicz, P. Mossakowski, A. Zbiciak, and A. Al Sabouni-Zawadzka, “Experimental identification of dynamic characteristics of a track structure influencing the level of noise emission”, Archives of Civil Engineering, vol. 67, no. 4, pp. 543-557, 2021, doi: 10.24425/ace.2021.138517.

[30] EN 15461:2008+A1:2010 – Railway applications – Noise emission – Characterisation of the dynamic properties of track sections for pass by noise measurements. CEN, 2010.

[31] EN 17495:2022 – Railway Applications – Acoustics – Determination of the dynamic stiffness of elastic track components related to noise and vibration: Rail pads and rail fastening assemblies. CEN, 2022.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

Kraśkiewicz, Cezary, et al. “Ballastless Track on Railway Bridges”. Archives of Civil Engineering, vol. 71, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 5-29, doi:10.24425/ace.2025.155122.

Issue

Section

Articles

Similar Articles

<< < 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.