Analysis of Ballast Transport in the Event of Overflowing of the Drainage System on High Speed Lines

The transport of ballast caused by the overflowing of longitudinal drains is a prime example of the interactions between the railway track and its environment. In such conditions, water flowing from the platform, along with debris, may drag the ballast off the track foundation. The rate of ballast erosion rises when obstacles are placed along the platform. To better understand the phenomenon of ballast transport, research was undertaken in collaboration with Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Systematic tests were performed on a physical model, using a 1:3 scale factor, under both normal and severe operational conditions, as well as in the case of a platform obstructed by obstacles. Numerical simulations were also run to evaluate different optimised configurations for the drainage system of the platform. The obtained results have improved the understanding of the phenomenon of ballast transport and have made it possible to identify at risk areas where the overflowing may negatively affect the railway traffic.