Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/M76508/01
Title:	IMPROVING THE STIFFNESS OF EXISTING RAILWAY TRACK
Principal Investigator:	Madelin, Professor K
Other Investigators:	Chan, Professor AHC Ghataora, Dr GS Chapman, Dr D Horsington, Mr R Rogers, Professor CDF Chapman, Professor DN Chapman, Dr D
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	G T Railway Maintenance Ltd Keller Ltd Network Rail Scott Wilson Serco WS Atkins
Department:	Civil Engineering
Organisation:	University of Birmingham
Scheme:	LINK
Starts:	01 November 1999	Ends:	30 April 2003	Value (£):	254,158
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Pavement Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The research will apply known and modified soil strengthening techniques to test sections of operational railway track, measuring the change in stiffness and monitoring track geometry. The intention is to establish three test sites, using different stabilisation techniques and/or soil conditions. A control site would be used to monitor seasonal variations. The stabilisation techniques will include densification of the soil and the construction of small displacement mini piles under the track. Injection techniques using chemical or other additives will also be considered together with deep soil stabilisation. The depth of subgrade requiring treatment will be established. The best means of measuring stiffness must be determined so that regular measurement can be obtained in an accurate, consistent and safe manner. Correlations will be developed between simpler tests and more sophisticated tests. The methodology will seek to select and treat one test site at an early stage using the best of existing techniques. The test control sites will be monitored whilst research concentrates on modifying and improving both stabilisation and measurement techniques with a view to treating a second and third test sites. This phased approach will enable practical lessons gained to be fed back into the research process.
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.bham.ac.uk