Impact of Live Load on Changes of Backfill Properties of Buried Flexible Steel Railway Structure

Abstract

The article attempts to assess the changes in the properties of the soil backfill on the basis of studies carried out on the soil compaction indicator for a buried flexible steel structure located in a section of the Pan-European railway line. Initial tests on soil compaction showed that the backfilling does not meet the standard for railway structures. On this basis, it was decided to conduct additional studies taking into account the probability of compacting the soil during the operation of the structure. In order to verify any changes, the compaction indicator tests were repeated after 7 months of use under intensive railway load. On this basis, it can to be stated that there is relationship between the impact of a service load and the parameters of a soil backfill over time. As a result of the intense exploitation of a structure, an increase in the soil compaction index even up to 6.0% (average 2.5%) occurs.