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RAILWAY SUBGRADES / BALLASTS

Whitepapers / Articles

Railways

» 20 yrs of BGM Under Railway Ballast
» Protecting Railway Sub-grade
» Railway Ballast Applications

Moving trains create vibrations that cause wear in the rails and sleepers. This action causes aging of the ballast, top course and subgrade.

To protect railway tracks from the upward migration of fines and to guard the foundation against seepage, changes in railway engineering have indicated that a reinforced bituminous geomembrane, such as Coletanche, should be applied. Coletanche protects the railway foundation, helping to ensure good track performance - even in areas with sensitive soils and difficult working conditions.

Tests have shown that non-reinforced geomembranes are often punctured and leak, or become deformed and sag - forming a depression, or gap, where rainwater collects. Coletanche can withstand sharp stones from the ballast, without compromising watertightness.

Coletanche is often chosen for railway protection projects for the following reasons:

  • It is substantially thicker than other membranes
  • It has a high resistance to puncture
  • It has a proven in-service record in railway applications
  • It has good friction characteristics
  • It has the potential for installation automation
  • It has high tensile strength

Coletanche can be applied during the construction of new tracks, or during the maintenance of older tracks. ACP Applied Products is highly experienced with the Coletanche application process for railway projects.