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<p>This research investigates the effectiveness of natural rubber under sleeper pads (USPs) in mitigating ballast deterioration under simulated railway track conditions. Laboratory box tests were conducted to assess the performance of ballast subjected to repeated axle loads of 20 and 50 tons, representing current and more severe loading scenarios. The study compared ballast degradation under both a plain concrete sleeper (NoUSP) and a sleeper equipped with a 15&#xa0;mm-thick para rubber USP (ParaUSP) made from natural rubber latex under rolled and smoked processes. Results indicate that para rubber USPs significantly reduced ballast particle breakage, particularly coarse breakage, compared to the NoUSP condition. Under 20-ton axle loads, the cumulative total breakage over three million cycles for NoUSP was 0.87%, and the ParaUSP case showed a 44% reduction in cumulative breakage. While under 50-ton loads, the cumulative total breakage over three million cycles for NoUSP was 1.778%. The cumulative breakage reduction of ParaUSP was at 27%. This suggests that natural rubber USPs can effectively mitigate ballast degradation, particularly under lower axle load conditions. However, the study also revealed that ParaUSP may contribute to increased sleeper settlement due to permanent indentation of the rubber sheet. This aspect requires further investigation to assess potential implications for track geometry and maintenance. The findings highlight the potential of natural rubber USPs as a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials for ballast protection.</p>

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Laboratory investigation of ballast deterioration under railway track equipped with soft under sleeper pads derived from natural rubber

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月8日

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  • Supakorn Rodkrantuk,
  • Boonchai Sangpetngam

摘要

This research investigates the effectiveness of natural rubber under sleeper pads (USPs) in mitigating ballast deterioration under simulated railway track conditions. Laboratory box tests were conducted to assess the performance of ballast subjected to repeated axle loads of 20 and 50 tons, representing current and more severe loading scenarios. The study compared ballast degradation under both a plain concrete sleeper (NoUSP) and a sleeper equipped with a 15 mm-thick para rubber USP (ParaUSP) made from natural rubber latex under rolled and smoked processes. Results indicate that para rubber USPs significantly reduced ballast particle breakage, particularly coarse breakage, compared to the NoUSP condition. Under 20-ton axle loads, the cumulative total breakage over three million cycles for NoUSP was 0.87%, and the ParaUSP case showed a 44% reduction in cumulative breakage. While under 50-ton loads, the cumulative total breakage over three million cycles for NoUSP was 1.778%. The cumulative breakage reduction of ParaUSP was at 27%. This suggests that natural rubber USPs can effectively mitigate ballast degradation, particularly under lower axle load conditions. However, the study also revealed that ParaUSP may contribute to increased sleeper settlement due to permanent indentation of the rubber sheet. This aspect requires further investigation to assess potential implications for track geometry and maintenance. The findings highlight the potential of natural rubber USPs as a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials for ballast protection.