GEOWEB Performance Tested Railroad Research

TTCI Tested, Long-Term Performance: A 2.5 year under track research at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) at the Transportation Technology Center (TTCI) in Pueblo, Colorado proved the benefits of the GEOWEB system for track subballast stabilization.

• GEOWEB reinforced track extended tamping cycle to 200 mgt; Unreinforced track required tamping every 15 mgt.
• More than 14 times the accumulated gross loading between tamping cycles.
• The GEOWEB system outperforms Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and is a better alternative than geogrids for under track stabilization in soft subgrade environments. See Comparison
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University of Kansas. The research study conducted by Jie Han, PE, PhD, included plate and track loading tests to substantiate GEOWEB-confined ballast performance over weak sub-grades subjected to heavy freight loadings.

• GEOWEB long-term confinement significantly reduces ballast movement and rotation resulting in increased ballast life.
• Lateral confinement controls movement of ballast particles so that breakage, vertical compression and spreading is minimized leading to improved rail performance.
• Decreased sub grade pressure by 50% provides stiffer and more stable track allowing heavier loads and faster speeds over low sub grades.
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Oregon State University. State-of-the-art, three-dimensional dynamic Finite Element Modeling was conducted by Ben Leshchinsky, PE, PhD, to quantify the reinforcement benefits of GEOWEB-confined ballast.

• GEOWEB long-term confinement influence reduced settlement by up to 50% under heavy freight loadings over weak sub grades.
• Controlled lateral ballast heave providing more stable track leading to decreased maintenance and ballast tamping.
• For heavy freight loadings, strains in GEOWEB were low (less 1%) with maximum tensile stresses at the bottom corners of the cell showing importance of seam strength.
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Railway engineers worldwide have relied on GEOWEB long-term confinement to create high stiffness foundations under track and high stress areas such as bridge abutments, diamonds and turn-outs. The GEOWEB system is extremely effective in stabilizing track sub grades and limiting differential and long-term settlement.

• Reduces Cross-Section Thickness: Ballast confined in the 3D GEOWEB provides structural benefits to reduce cross section thickness by up to 60%, significantly reducing installation and rehabilitation costs.
• Reduces Ballast Degradation: Long-term confinement significantly reduces ballast movement and rotation resulting in increased ballast life.
• Less Down-Time: The GEOWEB material can be quickly installed to make any necessary repairs and minimize costly track disruptions.
• Installation Benefits: Due to the ease of installation, the GEOWEB material can be installed by the railroad’s on-site crews during any weather conditions.