INVESTIGATION OF THE USABILITY OF BASALT AS BALLAST MATERIAL IN HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY TRACKS AND ITS IMPACT ON ABRASION RESISTANCE

Yapıcı N., Nurlu N., Sonsun H.

6. INTERNATIONAL LIBERTY INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES CONFERENCE, New York, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri, 29 - 30 Kasım 2024, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.128-135

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Cilt numarası: 1
  • Basıldığı Şehir: New York
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.128-135
  • Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The durability of railway infrastructure is of critical importance for safe and efficient

operation on high-speed train (YHT) lines. In this context, the ballast layer plays a significant

role in ensuring the stability of the rails and sleepers. Generally, hard rocks, especially basalt,

are preferred as ballast material. This study investigates the mechanical properties and wear

resistance of basalt, evaluating factors such as mineralogical structure, friction coefficients,

alteration effects, porosity in minerals, and olivine indexation. The findings demonstrate that

basalt possesses a high friction coefficient, low levels of alteration, and high wear resistance.

Furthermore, the mineralogical deficiencies in the ballast specification of the Turkish State

Railways (TCDD) are examined to discuss how durable materials like basalt can be used

more effectively in light of these deficiencies. As a result, the impacts of mineralogical

differences between olivine-bearing and olivine-free basalt on ballast performance are

analyzed in detail. This study highlights the applicability of basalt as ballast in YHT railway

infrastructure.