BALLAST

1. BALLAST IRS GE – 1 JULY-2016

2. DEFINITIONS CESS TRACK STR. B A L L A S T TRACK-FOUNDATION BLANKET FORMATION SUB - GRADE SUB - SOIL

3. Important Functions of Ballast • Resist vertical, lateral and longitudinal forces • Provide resilience and absorb energy • Reduce formation pressure • Facilitate track geometry correction • Facilitate track drainage • Provide voids

4. On Indian railway – • Total number of divisions- 73 nos. (approx.) • Ballast consumption in CuM – 50,000-200000 (Avg. 100000 presumed) • Total Ballast consumption by Open line – 73 Lakh CuM • Ballast consumption by Construction – 73 Lakh CuM • Total ballast consumption by Indian Railways – 150 Lakh CuM • Average cost of ballast including unloading – Rs.1300 presumed. • Total cost of ballast for Indian • Railways = Rs. 1300 x 150,00,000 = Rs. 2000 Crore approx.

5. Requirements of Track Ballast • Tough and wear resistant • Hard without getting crushed under moving loads • Generally cubical having sharp edge (Angular) • Non-porous and non-absorbent of water

6. Requirements of Track Ballast • Resist Attrition • Durable and should not get pulverized under weather condition • Good drainage of water • Economical in cost

9. Stress Distribution

10. Ballast Fouling Potential sources are • Ballast breakdown • Handling • Tamping/packing • Traffic • Weathering CONTD..

11. Ballast Fouling • Fines from subgrade • Mud pumping • Seepage • Fines from surface • Droppings from trains • Wind or water transported • Open defectation and garbage dumping in city limits by adjoining slum area.

12. Effects of Fouling • Impedes drainage • Affects elasticity of ballast & track modulus • Tamping/ packing becomes difficult • Increases dynamic loads (impact factor) • Reduces electrical resistance

13. Remedial measures - fouling • Shoulder screening : Preventive maintenance – Once in 3 yrs. • Deep Screening : Breakdown maintenance – Once in 10 yrs. • Deep Screening of track shall be done after 500GMT or 10 years, whichever is earlier, or if clean cushion is less than 150mm.(ACS132)

14. Parameters for determination of Standard of Ballast CONTD..

15. Parameters for determination of Standard of Ballast CONTD..

16. Parameters for determination of Standard of Ballast Mechanical parameters CONTD..

17. Parameters for determination of Standard of Ballast Chemical parameters:

18. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONSIRS GE – 1 JUNE 2004 • Basic Quality: Ballast should be hard, durable and as far as possible angular along edges/corners, free from weathered portions of parent rock, organic impurities and inorganic residues. • Particle Shape: Ballast should be cubical in shape as far as possible. Individual pieces should not be flaky and should have generally flat faces with not more than two rounded/sub rounded faces.

19. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS • Mode of Manufacture: • All BG main lines and running lines, except on ‘E’ routes but including ‘E’ special routes: machine crushed • Other BG lines and MG/NG routes planned/sanctioned for conversion:preferably machine crushed. Hand broken ballastcan be used in exceptional cases with prior approval of Chief Track Engineer/CAO/C. • Other MG & NG routes not planned/sanctioned for conversion: hand broken ballast, no approval shall be required.

20. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS • Physical Properties Ballast sample should satisfy the following physical properties in accordance with IS:2386 Pt.IV-1963 when tested as per the procedure given in Annexure 1&2 CONTD..

21. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS * In exceptional cases, on technical and/or economic grounds relaxable upto 35% & 25% respectively by CTE in open line and CAO/C for construction projects. The relaxation in Abrasion and Impact Values shall be given prior to invitation of tender and should be incorporated in the tender document.

22. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS • The “Water Absorption” tested as per IS:2386 Pt-III – 1963 following the procedure given in Annexure 3 should not be more than 1%. This test however, to be prescribed at the discretion of CE/CTE in open line and CAO/Con for construction projects. • As per correction slip No 3 a new para 2.2.2.1 is added. Now CAO/CTE can permit relaxation upto 2.5% in water absorption for specified areas

23. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS SIZE AND GRADATION: FULL RATE PAYMENT • Retained on 65mm sq. mesh sieve - 5% Maximum • Retained 40mm sq.mesh sieve • For machine crushed ballast : 40% to 60% • For hand broken ballast :Not required, but the executive must ensure that the ballast is well graded between 65 mm and 20 mm sieve. • Retained on 20mm sq.mesh sieve • Not less than 98% for machine crushed • Not less than 95% for hand broken

24. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS OVERSIZE BALLAST - Reduced Rate Payments i) Retention on 65mm square mesh sieve • A Maximum of 5% ballast retained on 65mm sieve shall be allowed without deduction in payment. • In case ballast retained on 65mm sieve exceeds 5% but does not exceed 10%, payment at 5% reduction in contracted rate shall be made for the full stack.

25. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS OVERSIZE BALLAST- Reduced Rate Payments • If ballast retained on 40mm square mesh sieve (machine crushed case only) > 60%, payment at the reduced rates shall be made for the full stack in addition to the reduction worked out above. • 5% reduction in contracted rates if retention on 40mm sq. mesh sieve is between 60% (excluding) and 65% (including) • 10% reduction in contracted rates if retention on 40mm sq. mesh sieve is between 65% (excluding) and 70% (including).

26. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS REJECTION OF BALLAST ON GRADATION ACCOUNT • OVERSIZE: • When the ballast retained on 65 mm sieve > 10 %. • When the ballast retained on 40 mm sieve > 70 %. • UNDERSIZE: • When the ballast retained on 40 mm sieve < 40 %. • Machine Crushed Ballast: When the ballast retained on 20 mm sieve < 98%. • Hand Broken Ballast: When the ballast retained on 20 mm sieve < 95%.

27. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS METHOD OF SIEVE ANALYSIS • Sieve sizes are nominal sizes. • The following tolerances shall be permitted: 65mm square mesh sieve Plus minus 1.5mm 40mm Square Mesh Sieve Plus Minus 1.5mm 20mm Square Mesh Sieve Plus Minus 1.0mm • Mesh size of the sieves should be checked before actual measurement. • The screen shall not be less than 100cm in length, 70cm in breadth and 10cm in height on sides.

28. Plate Thickness • 65 mm = 3 mm (+1.0 mm, -0.5mm) • 40 mm = 2 mm (± 0.5 mm) • 20 mm = 2 mm (± 0.5 mm) • Pitch of Square Holes of the Sieve • 65 mm = 80 mm (+12 mm, -8.0 mm) • 40 mm = 50 mm (+7.5 mm, -5.0 mm) • 20 mm = 25 mm (+4.0 mm, -2.5 mm)

29. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS METHOD OF SIEVE ANALYSIS • While carrying out sieve analysis, the screen shall not be kept inclined, but held horizontally and shaken vigorously. • The pieces of ballast retained on the screen can be turned with hand to see if they pass through but should not be pushed through the sieve. • The percentage passing through or retained on the sieve shall be determined by weight. Least count of weighing equipment shall not be > 100 gm.

30. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS CONDITIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDER • Each tenderer at the time of tendering shall submit the test report of Impact Value, “Abrasion Value, Water Absorption Value from approved laboratories and the list of these Laboratories shall be mentioned in the tender documents. • The tenderer shall also furnish an undertaking as incorporated in the tender document that the ballast supply at all times will conform to Specifications for Track Ballast as specified by Railway.

31. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS STACK MEASUREMENT • Stacking on a neat, plain, firm and well drained ground (to be done by railway) • The height of stack shall not be less than 1 m (hilly areas - 0.5 m ) but not more than 2.0 m. • Top width shall not be less than 1 m. • Top of stack shall be kept parallel to the ground plane. • The side slopes should not be flatter than 1.5:1 (H : V). • Cubical content of each stack shall normally be not less than 30 cum in plain areas and 15 cum in hilly areas.

32. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS WAGON MEASUREMENT • A continuous white line should be painted inside the wagon • The cubical content in cubic meter corresponding to white line should also be painted on both sides outside the wagon. • In addition, short pieces of flats with cubical contents punched shall be welded at the centre of all the four sides as permanent reference. • In case the supply is taken in general service wagons, actual measurements will be taken.

34. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS SHRINKAGE ALLOWANCE • Payment shall be made for the gross measurements either in stacks or in wagons without any deduction for shrinkage/voids. • When ballast supply is taken in wagons, shrinkage upto 8% shall be permitted at destination while verifying the booked quantities by the consignee.

35. Unloading of ballast on New Line Construction • Unloading of ballast on Existing Line • Ballast Regulator Machine (BRM)

36. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS SAMPLING AND TESTING • Aminimum of 3 samples of ballast for sieve analysis shall be taken for measurement done on any particular date even if the numbers of stacks to be measured are less than three. • The test viz., determination of Abrasion Value, Impact Value and Water Absorption should be got done through approved laboratories or Railway’s own laboratories (List of these laboratories shall be mentioned in the tender document).

37. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS SAMPLING AND TESTING • Norms to be followed in respect of sampling, testing and acceptance: • On supply of the first 100 cum, the tests for size gradation, Abrasion value, Impact value and water absorption (if prescribed) shall be carried out by Railways. • Further supply shall be accepted only after this ballast satisfies the specifications for these tests. • Railway reserves the right to terminate the contract as per GCC at this stage itself in case the ballast supply fails to conform with any of these specifications. CONTD..

38. Sampling Procedure • Sufficient space around the stack to facilitated movement of JCB/other ballast handling equipment. • Total 3 samples each of 0.3-0.5 CuM for each 100 CuM or part thereof. (sample collection by JCB / other ballast handling equipment.) • One sample from top (after removing outer layer of 150-200 mm) & • Two samples one each from sides

39. Location (in plan) & depth of sampling shall be varied for different samples & different stacks. • Gross sample is prepared by thoroughly mixing the three samples collected as above, using JCB. • Test sample of 0.027 CuM is drawn from each gross sample for carrying out size and gradation analysis.

40. Preparation of test sample. • Ballast from gross sample is • scooped into cone shaped pyramid. • After formation of cone, • it is flattened by pressing the top • with a smooth surface. • The heap is cut into quarters • by two lines at right angles • at the center of cone.

41. Out of 4 quarter samples, any two diagonally opposite samples are removed • away and remaining two qtr samples are mixed which is treated as test sample for • further carrying out size and gradation test. • After drawing test sample, left over ballast is dumped back into the stack. 2 2 3 1 1 3 4 4

42. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS • Subsequent tests : CONTD..

43. DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS ** Sample should be collected using a wooden box 0.3mx0.3mx0.3m from different parts of the stack/wagon. @ These tests shall be done for the purpose of monitoring quality during supply – further supply can be suspended in case of non-conformation. • The above tests may be carried out more frequently, if warranted at the discretion of Railway • All tests for abrasion value Impact value and water absorption conducted subsequently to award of contract shall be done at Railways’ cost.

44. Para 263 of IRPWM

45. Aggregate impact value test • Test sample – • passing 12.5 mm IS sieve – 100 % • retention 10 mm IS sieve – 100 % • 5 Kg ballast sample taken • Test sample prepared as above. • Sample oven dried for 4 hours at 100-110 0C • Sample filled up in cylindrical metal cup (75 mm dia and 50 mm depth) in three layers, in each layer tamped with 25 strokes of tamping rod. (tamping rod 10 mm dia, 230 mm long steel rod) • Contd..

46. Test sample filled up in steel cup is given 15 blows of 380 mm head (13.5 to 14 Kg) • Each blow delivered at an interval not less than 1 sec. • Sample is then sieved through 2.36 mm sieve and fraction passing (in %) through is calculated which is aggregate impact value. • Two such tests are carried out and mean of the two results (rounded to nearest whole number) is final aggregate impact value.

47. Aggregate impact value testing equipment

48. Aggregate abrasion value • Also called loss angels abrasion value • Test sample 10 Kg – • passing 50 mm and retained on 40 mm sieve- 5 kg • passing 40 mm and retained on 25 mm sieve- 5 kg • (tolerance +/- 2%) • Dried in oven at 100-110 oC to constant weight • Abrasive charge 12 nos of CI/Steel balls dia – 48 mm (approx.) is weighing 390 – 445 gm total weight 5 Kg +/- 25 gm. • Total 1000 revolution @ 20-33 revolution per minute. • Sample received is sieved through 1.7 mm IS sieve. • Material retained on 1.7 mm sieve is washed and dried to constant weight. • Loss in weight in % is called aggregate abrasion value.

50. Water absorption test • Ballast sample- 2 kg. • Sample thoroughly washed, placed in wired basket and immersed in distilled water at temp 22-32 0C. • Basket is lifted and dropped 25 times in 25 sec and then kept immersed in water for 24 +/- ½ hour. • Basket removed from water and allowed to drain for few minutes. • Aggregates are taken out and kept on dry cloth and is surface dried.