Potential Remediation of Rail Track Foundations in Poorly Drained Clay Sites with Native Vegetation.

Abstract

One of the major issues concerning rail infrastructure owners is substructure maintenance. Inadequate intervention can lead to poor track geometry. The problem is compounded by the presence of expansive clays in the formation layer and is often exacerbated when poor drainage softens these clays, leading to progressive shear failures. In some cases full track reconstruction is necessary, which is extremely costly. Rail maintenance engineers observed better formation stability on these same clays where stands of trees had been established adjacent to the rail track. Subsequent investigation showed improved engineering subgrade properties in most cases due to relative soil desiccation. Accordingly, Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) have planted several sites on its network with native vegetation.