International Journal of Railway Research
Iran University of Science & Technology
Mon, Dec 29, 2025
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Volume 13, Issue 1 (1-2026)
IJRARE 2026, 13(1): 1-16 |
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Ghahremani S, Mosayebi S A, Samimi F, Zakeri J. Investigating the effects of polyurethane-reinforced ballasted railway superstructure in reducing the train induced environmental vibrations. IJRARE 2026; 13 (1) :1-16
URL: http://ijrare.iust.ac.ir/article-1-367-en.html
URL: http://ijrare.iust.ac.ir/article-1-367-en.html
School of Railway Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (153 Views)
One of the main challenges in ballasted railway tracks is the vibration induced in the track superstructure and the surrounding environment due to train passage. These vibrations cause significant damage to both the superstructure components and nearby structures. To address this problem, injecting polyurethane into the ballasted superstructure has emerged as a potential solution.
Polyurethane refers to a class of polymers containing urethane bonds, which are formed through an addition reaction between an isocyanate group and an active hydrogen compound, such as a hydroxyl group. Because isocyanate groups are highly reactive, their reactions can progress without requiring elevated temperatures. As a result, polyurethane can be produced in various forms, including foams, films, elastomers, powders, liquids, and emulsions.
This study investigates the effects of injecting an economical and readily available polyurethane into ballasted tracks to reduce environmental vibrations caused by rail vehicle passage, using numerical methods. First, a ballasted railway track was modeled based on the finite element method and validated against existing technical literature. Subsequently, three models were developed: a standard ballasted railway track (without polyurethane), a track with 50% polyurethane injection, and a track with 100% polyurethane injection. The effects of train-induced vibrations were analyzed in terms of the time histories of displacement and vertical acceleration at points surrounding the track.
The results indicate that with 50% polyurethane injection, displacement and vertical acceleration are reduced by 61.87% and 98.6%, respectively, compared to the standard ballasted superstructure. For 100% polyurethane injection, the reductions are 62.15% and 76.93%, respectively.
Polyurethane refers to a class of polymers containing urethane bonds, which are formed through an addition reaction between an isocyanate group and an active hydrogen compound, such as a hydroxyl group. Because isocyanate groups are highly reactive, their reactions can progress without requiring elevated temperatures. As a result, polyurethane can be produced in various forms, including foams, films, elastomers, powders, liquids, and emulsions.
This study investigates the effects of injecting an economical and readily available polyurethane into ballasted tracks to reduce environmental vibrations caused by rail vehicle passage, using numerical methods. First, a ballasted railway track was modeled based on the finite element method and validated against existing technical literature. Subsequently, three models were developed: a standard ballasted railway track (without polyurethane), a track with 50% polyurethane injection, and a track with 100% polyurethane injection. The effects of train-induced vibrations were analyzed in terms of the time histories of displacement and vertical acceleration at points surrounding the track.
The results indicate that with 50% polyurethane injection, displacement and vertical acceleration are reduced by 61.87% and 98.6%, respectively, compared to the standard ballasted superstructure. For 100% polyurethane injection, the reductions are 62.15% and 76.93%, respectively.
Keywords: Railway Ballasted Superstructure, Polyurethane Injection, Environmental Vibrations Caused By Train Passage, Finite Element Method
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Railway track and structures
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