Thermal–environmental effects on degradation of railway ballast aggregates: a climate change perspective
Authors: Hamidreza Heydari, Morteza Esmaeili, Sina Nadermohammady
Climate change imposes multifaceted stresses on railway infrastructure, particularly ballasted tracks, where ballast degradation drives maintenance costs. This study quantifies the durability of ballast aggregates under simulated thermal and environmental conditions representative of climate change scenarios. Laboratory tests subjected aggregates to temperature extremes from −20°C to +100°C, freeze–thaw cycles, and sulfate attacks. Durability was assessed via Los Angeles abrasion, micro-Deval wear, crushing resistance, impact performance, and breakage potential. Results demonstrate that sulfate attacks, freeze–thaw cycles, extreme cold, and extreme warm conditions degrade durability by averages of 50%, 20%, 40%, and 35%, respectively. Empirical formulations were derived to estimate degradation indices as functions of thermal and environmental stressors. These findings underscore the critical influence of climate-driven conditions on ballast longevity and provide a basis for climate-adaptive railway design and maintenance planning.
