Technological evaluation of stones from the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for railway ballast
Abstract The correct choice of a stone aggregate for railway ballast is directly related to the stability, safety, efficiency, and maintenance costs of the track. The aggregate must meet several criteria to ensure it is the most appropriate material. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate four di...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83929-9 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1841544857253838848 |
|---|---|
| author | Daniela Tomaz Alves Rogério Pinto Ribeiro Gustavo de Castro Xavier Sergio N. Monteiro Afonso R. G. de Azevedo |
| author_facet | Daniela Tomaz Alves Rogério Pinto Ribeiro Gustavo de Castro Xavier Sergio N. Monteiro Afonso R. G. de Azevedo |
| author_sort | Daniela Tomaz Alves |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The correct choice of a stone aggregate for railway ballast is directly related to the stability, safety, efficiency, and maintenance costs of the track. The aggregate must meet several criteria to ensure it is the most appropriate material. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate four distinct stones: two granites, a diabase, and a basalt, all mined in the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, regarding their applicability as ballast. Using Brazilian and ASTM procedures for stone samples, the tests were conducted on 55 and 75-mm specimens, in dry and wet conditions. As a result, all stones met the physical properties established by the standards. Among the mechanical properties, uniaxial compressive strength stood out, with all stones where the tested materials advantageously exceeding the 100 MPa required by the Brazilian standard. Regarding the accelerated weathering test with ethylene glycol, only basalt showed more significant changes, although its resistance to weathering was still lower than 10%. Our findings indicate that these stones perform adequately as ballast for railway applications. The study is expected to contribute to revisions of technical standards and the improvement of a database on Brazilian stone materials for use as railway ballast. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f436df80c29b43b7b37f726e89111d57 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-f436df80c29b43b7b37f726e89111d572025-01-12T12:15:12ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111710.1038/s41598-024-83929-9Technological evaluation of stones from the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for railway ballastDaniela Tomaz Alves0Rogério Pinto Ribeiro1Gustavo de Castro Xavier2Sergio N. Monteiro3Afonso R. G. de Azevedo4São Carlos School of Engineering, USP- University of São PauloDepartment of Geotechnical Engineering, EESC- São Carlos School of Engineering, USP- University of São PauloLECIV – Civil Engineering Laboratory, UENF – State University of the North in Rio de JaneiroDepartment of Materials Science, IME – Military Institute of EngineeringLECIV – Civil Engineering Laboratory, UENF – State University of the North in Rio de JaneiroAbstract The correct choice of a stone aggregate for railway ballast is directly related to the stability, safety, efficiency, and maintenance costs of the track. The aggregate must meet several criteria to ensure it is the most appropriate material. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate four distinct stones: two granites, a diabase, and a basalt, all mined in the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, regarding their applicability as ballast. Using Brazilian and ASTM procedures for stone samples, the tests were conducted on 55 and 75-mm specimens, in dry and wet conditions. As a result, all stones met the physical properties established by the standards. Among the mechanical properties, uniaxial compressive strength stood out, with all stones where the tested materials advantageously exceeding the 100 MPa required by the Brazilian standard. Regarding the accelerated weathering test with ethylene glycol, only basalt showed more significant changes, although its resistance to weathering was still lower than 10%. Our findings indicate that these stones perform adequately as ballast for railway applications. The study is expected to contribute to revisions of technical standards and the improvement of a database on Brazilian stone materials for use as railway ballast.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83929-9BallastGranitesBasic rocksTechnological testsEthylene glycol |
| spellingShingle | Daniela Tomaz Alves Rogério Pinto Ribeiro Gustavo de Castro Xavier Sergio N. Monteiro Afonso R. G. de Azevedo Technological evaluation of stones from the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for railway ballast Scientific Reports Ballast Granites Basic rocks Technological tests Ethylene glycol |
| title | Technological evaluation of stones from the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for railway ballast |
| title_full | Technological evaluation of stones from the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for railway ballast |
| title_fullStr | Technological evaluation of stones from the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for railway ballast |
| title_full_unstemmed | Technological evaluation of stones from the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for railway ballast |
| title_short | Technological evaluation of stones from the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for railway ballast |
| title_sort | technological evaluation of stones from the eastern region of the state of sao paulo brazil for railway ballast |
| topic | Ballast Granites Basic rocks Technological tests Ethylene glycol |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83929-9 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT danielatomazalves technologicalevaluationofstonesfromtheeasternregionofthestateofsaopaulobrazilforrailwayballast AT rogeriopintoribeiro technologicalevaluationofstonesfromtheeasternregionofthestateofsaopaulobrazilforrailwayballast AT gustavodecastroxavier technologicalevaluationofstonesfromtheeasternregionofthestateofsaopaulobrazilforrailwayballast AT sergionmonteiro technologicalevaluationofstonesfromtheeasternregionofthestateofsaopaulobrazilforrailwayballast AT afonsorgdeazevedo technologicalevaluationofstonesfromtheeasternregionofthestateofsaopaulobrazilforrailwayballast |