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L.J. Husøy^1,2, A. Lau¹, A.H. Løhren² and I. Hoff¹

¹Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
²Railway Technology, Bane NOR SF, Trondheim, Norway

doi:10.4203/ccc.7.24.3

L.J. Husøy, A. Lau, A.H. Løhren, I. Hoff, "A Review of Current Ballast Bed Assessment Practices Across the Nordic Countries", in J. Pombo, (Editor), "Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance", Civil-Comp Press, Edinburgh, UK, Online volume: CCC 7, Paper 24.3, 2024, doi:10.4203/ccc.7.24.3

Keywords: railway ballast, Nordic countries, fouling, visual inspection, ground penetrating radar, sampling.

Abstract

This study systematically reviews the current practices of railway ballast bed assessment across the Nordic countries, benchmarking Norway against Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The primary assessment methods focus on regular visual inspections and alignment measurements, supplemented by additional sampling when necessary. The principal methodology typically involves non-destructive assessments to identify defects such as mud pumping, ballast shortage, and vegetation growth, primarily through visual inspections. These are confirmed via track alignment analysis, sampling, and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), though GPR is only used in Denmark and Finland. The study highlights varying regional criteria for ballast fouling and cleaning. There is a significant reliance on visual inspections which, while quick and non-intrusive, can be subject to inspector bias and may be challenging to verify. This underscores a potential area for the adoption of more advanced technological measures, which could lead to more precise assessments and more effective maintenance, ultimately optimizing the lifespan of railway infrastructure.

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Front Page Browse CCC CCP CSETS CTR IJRT Other Authors Search Purchase Guide FAQ Contact us	Civil-Comp Conferences ISSN 2753-3239 CCC: 7 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RAILWAY TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE Edited by: J. Pombo Paper 24.3 A Review of Current Ballast Bed Assessment Practices Across the Nordic Countries L.J. Husøy^1,2, A. Lau¹, A.H. Løhren² and I. Hoff¹ ¹Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway ²Railway Technology, Bane NOR SF, Trondheim, Norway doi:10.4203/ccc.7.24.3 Full Bibliographic Reference for this paper L.J. Husøy, A. Lau, A.H. Løhren, I. Hoff, "A Review of Current Ballast Bed Assessment Practices Across the Nordic Countries", in J. Pombo, (Editor), "Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance", Civil-Comp Press, Edinburgh, UK, Online volume: CCC 7, Paper 24.3, 2024, doi:10.4203/ccc.7.24.3 Keywords: railway ballast, Nordic countries, fouling, visual inspection, ground penetrating radar, sampling. Abstract This study systematically reviews the current practices of railway ballast bed assessment across the Nordic countries, benchmarking Norway against Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The primary assessment methods focus on regular visual inspections and alignment measurements, supplemented by additional sampling when necessary. The principal methodology typically involves non-destructive assessments to identify defects such as mud pumping, ballast shortage, and vegetation growth, primarily through visual inspections. These are confirmed via track alignment analysis, sampling, and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), though GPR is only used in Denmark and Finland. The study highlights varying regional criteria for ballast fouling and cleaning. There is a significant reliance on visual inspections which, while quick and non-intrusive, can be subject to inspector bias and may be challenging to verify. This underscores a potential area for the adoption of more advanced technological measures, which could lead to more precise assessments and more effective maintenance, ultimately optimizing the lifespan of railway infrastructure. download the full-text of this paper (PDF, 14 pages, 618 Kb) go to the previous paper go to the next paper return to the table of contents return to the volume description
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