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ABSTRACT
In this paper the XiTRACK reinforcement of the railway track transitions at Keadby Canal Drawbridge on the Doncaster to Scunthorpe Line, between Althorpe and Crowle over the Stainforth and Keadby canal at national Grid Reference 482600E 411500N is presented. The bridge carries twin tracks and is located on the flat floodplain of the north-south trending River Trent.
The bridge was replaced in 1925 and again in 2003. Since replacement a large number of operational problems developed due to movements within the abutments and substructure. The net result of these movements was the enforcement of further speed restrictions and holding works. These movements arise when dynamic loads are imposed on the structure generating a large dynamic impulse that propagates into the saturated foundations. This impulse generates excess pore water pressure within saturated layers both within the foundation and the embankment. This excess pore water pressure causes an outflow of material within the abutments. The likely source of the material is Made Ground, ballast attrition (signs of mud pumping from cracks in the sides of the masonry wall can be observed) and from damage caused by the steel supports on the masonry walls.
Over the 2006 Christmas holiday period all four bridge transitions were reinforced using the XiTRACK technique. This paper shows how the XiTRACK ballast reinforcement of the transitions was performed and discusses the benefits that the system has provided. The paper presents typical finite element modelling of the East Abutment and the installation of a new concrete abutment on the West Abutment Down Line.
Proceedings of 9th International Conference on Railway Engineering London, June 2007