Enhancing Railway Track Stabilization with Epoxy Resin and Crumb Rubber Powder-Modified Cement Asphalt Mortar

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 15; no. 22; p. 4462
• Main Authors: Lee, Sang-Yum, Yun, Young-Man, Le, Tri Ho Minh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.11.2023
• Subjects: Acid resistance; Asphalt; ballast track stabilization; Bituminous cements; Cement; cement asphalt mortar; Cement hydration; Compressive strength; crumb rubber powder; Design; Environmental impact; epoxy resin; Epoxy resins; Expenditures; Formulations; Freeze-thaw durability; Infrastructure; Mechanical properties; Mortar; Mortars (material); Parameter modification; polymer application; Powders; R&D; Railway tracks; Reduction; Research & development; Rheology; Rubber; Stability; Stabilization; Sulfuric acid; Sustainability; Viscosity; Vietnam; South Korea
• DOI: 10.3390/polym15224462
• ISSN: 2073-4360

This research investigates the quantitative impact of incorporating epoxy resin and crumb rubber powder (CRP) into cement asphalt mortar (CAM) for railway track stabilization. The study reveals significant improvements in various key parameters compared to conventional CAM. The modified CAM exhibits a 12.7% reduction in flow time, indicative of enhanced flowability, and a substantial 62.4% decrease in the mixing stability gap, demonstrating superior mixing stability. Additionally, the modified CAM displays remarkable early-age compressive strength, with increases of up to 15.3% compared to traditional CAM formulations. Importantly, the modified CAM showcases robust resistance to challenging environmental conditions, with only a 6.7% strength reduction after exposure to sulfuric acid, highlighting its acid resistance, and exceptional freeze–thaw resistance, with a mere 1.5% strength reduction after undergoing six cycles. In a mock-up test simulating real-world conditions, the modified CAM effectively prevents ballast layer settlement, underscoring its potential to enhance the durability of railway track infrastructure. These quantitative findings not only endorse the practical feasibility of epoxy resin and CRP-enhanced CAM but also suggest its potential to contribute significantly to railway track longevity, reduce maintenance expenditures, and ensure operational reliability.