Prefabricated Railway Foundation Modules for Rapid Renovation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railway line renovation methods require long interruptions due to the need for ballast replacement and curing times, causing significant disruptions to traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of prefabricated foundation modules and temporary elastic supports allows for the renovation of railway lines without ballast, enabling interventions during ordinary traffic interruptions, such as at night, and speeding up the process by using prefabricated elements like concrete foundation modules and temporary supports to manage load transfer during reduced-speed traffic reactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ballast replacement method is used, then the railway line can be renovated with a stable foundation, but the line must be interrupted for a long time due to curing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the foundation into modular precast concrete blocks that can be independently manufactured and rapidly installed. Each block is a self-contained unit with standardized dimensions and reinforcement, allowing parallel installation along the railway line without requiring continuous curing of a monolithic foundation.
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation blocks are precast off-site with all reinforcement and preliminary concrete strength development completed before installation. This preliminary action transfers the time-consuming curing process to the manufacturing phase, enabling rapid on-site assembly during minimal traffic interruption.
2Productivity
If prefabricated foundation modules are used, then the renovation speed increases and traffic interruption is reduced, but the complexity of the installation process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The precast foundation blocks are designed as universal modules that can be used across different railway line sections with standardized dimensions, reinforcement patterns, and connection interfaces. This universality simplifies the installation process by eliminating the need for custom-designed blocks for different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temporary elastic supports as intermediary elements that facilitate the installation process by providing provisional load-bearing capacity during block placement and grouting. These supports act as mediators between the new foundation blocks and the existing track structure, enabling sequence-dependent installation without requiring complex simultaneous operations.
3Reliability
If temporary elastic supports are installed, then load transfer during reduced-speed traffic is managed safely, but the number of components and installation steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temporary elastic supports are installed beforehand to provide cushioning and load-bearing capacity before the permanent foundation is fully operational. These supports are specifically designed to handle the reduced-speed traffic loads during the transition period, protecting the new foundation blocks from excessive stress while grouting is completed.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary supports utilize elastic materials that provide dynamic response to varying loads. The elastic properties allow the supports to flex and absorb energy from passing trains at reduced speed, then gradually transfer loads as the permanent foundation gains strength, adapting to the changing structural conditions during renovation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables quick renovation of railway lines with minimal traffic disruption, allowing for safe operation at reduced speeds during maintenance and reducing overall intervention time, thus optimizing maintenance efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
positioning at least one temporary elastic support on the foundation module
Implementation Method 2
The bedding material thus introduced is capable of transferring both vertical and tangential loads
Implementation Method 3
The bedding material thus introduced is capable of transferring both vertical and tangential loads
Implementation Method 4
The sleepers lie on the latter and by vibration they are buried therein up to the extrados
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A method for renovating a section of an existing railway line with the removal of a ballast, comprising: i) a first group of steps comprising the steps of: - removing rails, sleepers and ballast of a section of the railway line; - preparing a support layer (10) of said section of the railway line; - positioning a prefabricated foundation module (21) on said layer (10); - superposing on said foundation module (21) a prefabricated superstructure plate (81) intended to support one or more rails; - positioning a temporary stopper (3) in a corresponding seat (810) of the superstructure plate (81); the step of positioning a temporary stopper (3) in a corresponding seat (810) of the superstructure plate (81) being able or not to be part of the step of superposing with said foundation module (21) a prefabricated superstructure plate (81); - constraining said stopper (3) to the foundation module (21); - positioning one or more rails (9) on the prefabricated superstructure plate (81) to enable the transit of rolling stock along said section of the railway line; ii) a second group of steps comprising the steps of: -removing said temporary stopper (3) from the seat (810); -creating a bedding layer (5) between the module (21) and the superstructure plate (81); the step of creating the bedding layer (5) comprising the step of introducing by injection a material intended to fill the seat (810) and a space between the foundation module (21) and the superstructure plate (81).