The Impact of Sandy Fouled Ballast Properties on Its Mechanical Behavior

The impact of the coefficient of uniformity and porosity on the shear strength of sandy fouled ballast was examined in this study.Data from existing studies were analyzed to understand how these factors, alongside the fouling index, influence the mechanical behavior of the clean and fouled ballast.A clear inverse relationship between the coefficient of uniformity and shear strength was found when the fouling index was lower than 50%; beyond this point, the relationship tended to become positive.Furthermore, an unexpected direct relationship was noted between porosity and shear strength, where lower porosity led to diminished shear strength.This atypical behavior was attributed to the combined presence of sand with ballast, creating a heterogeneous material that altered the typical impact of porosity seen in single-material compositions.These insights underscore the importance of considering multiple parameters, such as the coefficient of uniformity, porosity, and fouling index, for accurate predictions of shear strength.Understanding these relationships is essential for optimizing the mechanical behavior of sandy fouled ballast, thereby enhancing railway track design and maintenance strategies.This investigation provides a basic foundation to enhance the estimation and prediction of the shear strength of sandy fouled ballast based on experimental investigation of current studies.