Laboratory investigation of the influence of tire-derived aggregate (TDA) content and size mixed with ballast on settlement behavior and optimal mixture selection

Fakhri, Mansour; Rahimizadeh, Yousef; Esmaeili, Morteza

doi:10.22068/ijrare.365

Volume 12, Issue 1 (1-2025) IJRARE 2025, 12(1): 24-33 | Back to browse issues page

‎ 10.22068/ijrare.365

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Fakhri M, Rahimizadeh Y, Esmaeili M. Laboratory investigation of the influence of tire-derived aggregate (TDA) content and size mixed with ballast on settlement behavior and optimal mixture selection. IJRARE 2025; 12 (1) :24-33
URL: http://ijrare.iust.ac.ir/article-1-365-en.html

Laboratory investigation of the influence of tire-derived aggregate (TDA) content and size mixed with ballast on settlement behavior and optimal mixture selection

Mansour Fakhri

, Yousef Rahimizadeh

, Morteza Esmaeili

Faculty of Civil Engineering, K N Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract: (44 Views)

The use of tire-derived aggregates (TDA) in railway infrastructure has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential benefits, including vibration mitigation, ballast degradation reduction, increased damping, decreased stiffness, and improved dynamic performance of bridges. However, one major concern regarding the use of TDA-ballast mixes is the potential for increased settlement, primarily due to the softer nature of rubber particles. Hence, investigating the effect of TDA content and size on track settlement and identifying the optimal mix configuration is of critical importance. This study evaluates these effects through a series of laboratory ballast box tests conducted on different mixtures. The experimental program included pure ballast samples (as control) and ballast-TDA mixes with 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% TDA by weight. Two TDA size ranges were considered: fine particles (10–20 mm diameter) and coarse particles (comparable to ballast size). The results revealed that, except for the mix with 10% coarse TDA—which exhibited a 1.7% reduction in settlement compared to the control—all other mixes (with 5%, 15%, and 20% coarse TDA) experienced increased settlement by 24%, 155%, and 217%, respectively. Furthermore, settlement increased significantly with rising TDA content in mixes using fine particles. Specifically, the increases in settlement for 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% fine TDA mixes, compared to the pure ballast sample, were 22%, 88%, 234%, and 310%, respectively. Based on the results, the mix with 10% coarse TDA is recommended as the optimal configuration, offering improved long-term performance without compromising stability. These findings provide valuable insight for the design and optimization of ballast–TDA mixes, facilitating the effective integration of recycled materials in railway tracks while mitigating long-term settlement issues.

Keywords: Laboratory studies, Ballast box test, Ballast–TDA mix, Railway track settlement, Optimal mixture

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Type of Study: Research | Subject: Railway Transportation