Explicitly intended for railroad soft-subgrade soils stabilisation, the RailJET uses a modified jet grouting process to improve subgrade integrity below mainline track, super-elevated curves, bridge approaches, rail yards and speciality track work such as switches and crossovers.
The hydrodynamic mix-in-place technique produces a soil-cement column - ranging from eight to 16in in diameter - to reinforce the soil both in bearing and shear. The mix-in-place system allows for grout to be delivered on-demand with no waste or spoil mess to clean up during or after treatment.
"GSI's first railway project was completed more than 10 years ago. We dramatically expanded our capabilities and services further into the rail industry five years ago to help remediate geohazards railroads face every day along critical routes. These geohazards cause frequent and often unpredictable disruption to the movement of goods," said Kyle Guenther, director Railroad Services, GeoStabilization International.
"The RailJET is the epitome of our core value, advantage through innovation. It allows us to quickly and safely mobilise via rail-bound equipment to active track locations, complete treatment work and return to a tie-up location. The mobility and versatility of the equipment significantly decreases repair time, and the track is immediately capable of moving train traffic once the equipment is clear. It extends the lifespan of the railway track infrastructure by improving subgrade stiffness, reducing long term settlement and leaving a more resilient trackbed to support the heavy cyclic loading conditions of freight traffic."
Traditional maintenance and repair methods typically require access way construction along the track or equipment to be rail loaded on flat cars and transported to the job site, offloaded and prepped for operation. Once the work is complete, access ways need to be removed or the equipment is reloaded to demobilise. These processes are logistically challenging, costly and can significantly increase a project's overall duration - especially when working in limited-access areas.
The hi-rail mounted equipment is a self-contained system, making it ideal for limited-access areas and where track windows are tight, as no additional railroad provided equipment is needed. Being self-contained also allows for quick deployment on and off the track, reduced repair costs and increased job site flexibility.
The RailJET provides a stable platform for railroad loading, increasing infrastructure longevity, reducing long-term maintenance costs, and providing protection from the potential dangers and damage of soft subgrade geohazards.
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