Geomechanics and Engineering

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The influence of fine particle migration on pore structure of overlying ballast under cyclic loading

  • Yu Ding (School of Civil and Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University) ;
  • Yu Jia (School of Civil Engineering, Central South University) ;
  • Zhongling Zong (School of Civil and Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University) ;
  • Xuan Wang (School of Civil Engineering, Central South University) ;
  • Jiasheng Zhang (School of Civil Engineering, Central South University) ;
  • Min Ni (School of Civil and Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University)
  • Received : 2023.06.07
  • Accepted : 2023.11.23
  • Published : 2023.12.25
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Abstract

The essence of subgrade mud pumping under train load is the migration of fine particles in subgrade soil. The migration of fine particles will change the pore structure of overlying ballast, thus affecting the mechanical properties and hydraulic properties of ballast layer. It is of great theoretical significance and engineering value to study the effect of fine particle migration on the pore structure of ballast layer under cyclic loading. In this paper, a tailor-made subgrade mud pumping test model and an X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning equipment were used to study the influence of migration of fine particles in subgrade soil on the pore parameters (plane porosity, volume porosity, pore distribution and pore connectivity) of overlying ballast under cyclic loading. The results show that the compression of ballast pores and the blockage of migrated fine particles make the porosity of ballast layer decreases gradually. And the percentage of small pores in ballast layer increases, while the percentage of large pores decreases; the connectivity of pores also gradually decreases. Based on the test results, an empirical model of ballast porosity evolution under cyclic loading is established and verified.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51978674), Science and Technology Research and Development Program of China National Railway Group Corporation Limited (L2022G002), and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students in Jiangsu Province (202311641122Y). The laboratory tests were performed in the National Engineering Research Center of High-speed Railway Construction Technology with significant support from Dr. Zhang of Central South University. The authors are grateful for the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions.

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