The Effect of Recycled-Rubber Energy Absorbing Grids on the Performance of Railway Ballast: A Review

In Australia, domestic freight transportation has increased by around ten times during the past five decades and led to a significant upsurge in the construction and maintenance activities of railways. Therefore, it is important to consider upgrading the materials and techniques to address the growing requirements effectively. This study reviews the use of recycled-rubber inclusions including Recycled-Rubber Energy Absorbing Grids (REAG) derived from end-of-life rubber conveyor belts from the mining industry as a countermeasure to minimize track damage. A comparative review on the use of traditional polymer geogrids, Under Ballast Mats, and rubber grids in view of reducing track deformation and ballast breakage will be presented to assess the additional benefits of rubber, which include improved resiliency and damping properties in conjunction with interlocking granular particles.