Analysis of Behaviors of the Railway Subgrade with a New Waterproof Seal Layer

Abstract

This study proposes a new waterproof sealing layer to reduce the impact of water on subgrade beds. The proposed waterproof sealing layer is composed of a polyurethane adhesive (PA) mixture, which aims to control interlaminar deformation and prevent seepage. A variety of laboratory tests were first performed to analyze the attenuation characteristics and mechanical properties of various polyurethane polymer (PP)-improved gravel mixtures under thermohydraulic coupling effects. In addition, a waterproof performance model test of the PP-improved gravel layer was conducted to investigate its waterproof and drainage performance and hydraulic damage mechanism. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the surface structure of the waterproof drainage subgrade bed containing the PA mixture was tested in combination with the treatment project of the Ciyaowan station of the Baoshen heavy-haul railway. According to the experimental and model results, (1) the waterproof layer containing the polyurethane mixture exhibited satisfactory stiffness, elasticity and flexibility. The waterproof layer containing the polyurethane mixture also controlled the deformation between layers, and its mechanical properties remained stable. (2) The waterproof layer with the dense polyurethane mixture performed well in terms of the waterproof aspect, and no infiltration occurred under cyclic load (3). Long-term field monitoring revealed that the effect of the implementation of a PP-improved gravel layer to treat mud pumping was remarkable. The settlement of the PP-improved gravel layer only reached 13.21 mm, and the settlement remained stable in the later stage.