Analysis of the Influence of Fatigue Strength of Prototype Under Ballast Mats (UBMs) on the Effectiveness of Protection against Vibration Caused by Railway Traffic

The present paper focuses on laboratory tests of fatigue strength of prototype under ballast mats (UBMs), carried out according to the procedure described in the new European standard EN 17282, which was released in October 2020. The mineral wool-based mat revealed significant differences in the values of static and dynamic characteristics, measured before and after the fatigue tests. The elastomeric mats based on recycled materials (SBR granulate and fibers) turned out to have had sufficient durability and effectiveness of protection against vibration caused by railway traffic. The values of static and dynamic bedding moduli, determined before and after the fatigue tests, were used to develop a viscoelastic rheological model of the vibration isolator with the use of fractional derivatives. Using this original model of the ballasted track system with four degrees of freedom, a significant influence of cyclic loading on the level of vibration suppression (insertion loss factor) was demonstrated. The analytical model confirmed that the mats with variations of bedding moduli exceeding 10% should not be used as resilient elements.     

Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties and Pore Structure Deterioration of Concrete under Freeze–Thaw Cycles

Understanding the evolution of mechanical properties and microscopic pore structure of concrete after freeze–thaw cycles is essential to assess the durability and safety of concrete structures. In this work, the degradation law of mechanical properties and damage characteristic of micro-structure of concrete with two water-cement ratios (w/c = 0.45 and 0.55) is investigated under the condition of freezing–thawing cycles. The influence of loading strain rate on dynamic compressive strength is studied. The microscopic pore structure after frost damage is measured by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) technique. Then, a damage model based on the porosity variation is established to quantitatively describe the degradation law of macroscopic mechanical properties. The test results show that the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME), dynamic compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength of concrete decrease with the increase of freeze–thaw cycles. Empirical relations of concrete dynamic increase factor (DIF) under the action of freeze–thaw cycles are proposed. Moreover, the experimental results of NMR indicate that the porosity as well as the proportion of meso-pores and macro-pores of concrete gradually increased with the increasing of freeze–thaw cycles. The research results can provide reference and experimental support for the anti-frost design theory and durability life prediction of hydraulic concrete structures in cold regions.     

Mechanical and Microscopic Characteristics of Polyurethane-Based Pervious Pavement Composites

Conventional pervious pavement materials (PPM) that consist of cement and aggregate materials are known for poor durability due to their brittle behavior. Thus, to enhance the durability, we fabricated polymeric PPMs from durable and abundant polyurethane (PU) and undertook mechanical and microscopic characterizations. PU-based PPM samples with varying aggregate sizes were produced and examined to test their compressive strength and water permeability. Furthermore, X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was implemented to analyze the samples’ pore and tortuosity characteristics. Through the micro-CT analysis, the morphological characteristics of PPM’s internal structures were identified and quantitively analyzed the correlations between the pore size distribution, connectivity, and tortuosity within the samples. Finally, the microstructures derived from micro-CT were generated as a finite element model and also numerically determined the stress distribution generated inside.     

Preparation and Mechanical-Fatigue Properties of Elastic Polyurethane Concrete Composites

In order to solve issues related to bridge girders, expansion devices and road surfaces, as well as other structures that are prone to fatigue failure, a kind of fatigue-resistant elastic polyurethane concrete (EPUC) was obtained by adding waste rubber particles (40 mesh with 10% fine aggregate volume replacement rate) to conventional engineering polyurethane concrete (PUC). Based on the preparation and properties of EPUC, its constitutive relation was proposed through compression and tensile tests; then, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a 3D non-contact surface profilometer were used to study the failure morphology and micromechanisms of EPUC. On this basis, four-point bending fatigue tests of EPUC were carried out at different temperature levels (−20 °C, 0 °C, 20 °C) and different strain levels (400 με~1200 με). These were used to analyze the stiffness modulus, hysteresis angle and dissipated energy of EPUC, and our results outline the fatigue life prediction models of EPUC at different temperatures. The results show that the addition of rubber particles fills the interior of EPUC with tiny elastic structures and effectively optimizes the interface bonding between aggregate and polyurethane. In addition, EPUC has good mechanical properties and excellent fatigue resistance; the fatigue life of EPUC at a room temperature of 600 με can grow by more than two million times, and it also has a longer service life and reduced disease frequency, as well as fewer maintenance requirements. This paper will provide a theoretical and design basis for the fatigue resistance design and engineering application of building materials. Meanwhile, the new EPUC material has broad application potential in terms of roads, bridges and green buildings.     

Structural Integrity Assessment of Composites Plates with Embedded PZT Transducers for Structural Health Monitoring

Active sensing using ultrasonic guided waves (UGW) is widely investigated for monitoring possible damages in composite structures. Recently, a novel diagnosed film based on a circuit-printed technique with piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) transducers has been developed. The diagnostic film is a replacement for the traditional cable connection to PZT sensors and has been shown to significantly reduce the weight of the host structure. In this work, the diagnosed films were embedded into composite structures during manufacturing using a novel edge cut-out method during lay-up, which allowed for edge trimming after curing. In this paper, the effect of fatigue loading on the integrity of PZT transducers is initially investigated. The electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) properties at different fatigue loading cycles were used as the diagnostic measure for the performance of the sensors. At the same time, the behaviours of UGW were investigated at different fatigue loading cycles. It was found that the EMI properties and active sensing behaviours remained stable up to 1 million cycles for the force ranges of 0.5~5 kN and 1~10 kN. Next, the effect of embedding the diagnosed film on the mechanical properties of the host composite structure was investigated. Tensile and compressive tests were conducted and the elastic modulus of composite coupons with and without embedded PZT diagnosed films were compared. The elastic modulus of composite coupons with PZT diagnosed films embedded across the entire coupon reduced by as much as 20% for tensile tests and just over 10% for compressive tests compared to the coupons without embedded sensors. These reductions are considered the worst-case scenario, as in real structures the film would only be embedded in a relatively small area of the structure.     

The Use of Deconstructed Tires as Elastic Elements in Railway Tracks

Elastic elements such as rail pads, under sleeper pads and under ballast mats are railway components that allow for a reduction in track deterioration and vibrations. And they are furthermore commonly used to obtain an optimal vertical stiffness of the infrastructure. However, the use of elastomeric materials can increase construction costs and the consumption of raw materials. Thus, the utilization of used tire layers offers an alternative to reuse an abundant waste reducing the cost of elastic elements. In addition, an innovator technique allows deconstructing tire layers without grinding up the material, reducing production costs at the same time that tire properties are remained. This research is focused on the study of the viability of developing elastic components from used tire layers by evaluating the influence of thickness, the resistance capacity of the elements and their behavior in a ballast box. Results indicate the ability of tire pads to manufacture elastic elements (rail pads, under sleeper pads and under ballast mats) to be used in railway tracks.     

Research on Improving the Durability of Bridge Pavement Using a High-Modulus Asphalt Mixture

In order to improve the durability of the asphalt pavement on a cement concrete bridge, this study investigated the effect of the modulus of the asphalt mixture at the bottom layer on the mechanical response of bridge pavement, along with a type of emerging bridge pavement structure. In addition, the design method and pavement performance of a high-modulus asphalt mixture were investigated using laboratory and field tests, and the life expectancy of the deck pavement structure was predicted based on the rutting deformation. The results showed that the application of a high-modulus asphalt mixture as the bottom asphalt layer decreased the stress level of the pavement structure. The new high-modulus asphalt mixture displayed excellent comprehensive performance, i.e., the dynamic stability reached 9632 times/mm and the fatigue life reached 1.65 million cycles. Based on the rutting depth prediction, using high-modulus mixtures for the bridge pavement prolonged the service life from the original 5 years to 10 years, which significantly enhanced the durability of the pavement structure. These research results could be of potential interest for practical applications in the construction industry.     

Static and Flexural Fatigue Behavior of GFRP Pultruded Rebars

This paper presents the experimental results of composite rebars based on GFRP manufactured by a pultrusion system. The bending and radial compression strength of rods was determined. The elastic modulus of GFRP rebars is significantly lower than for steel rebars, while the static flexural properties are higher. The microstructure of the selected rebars was studied and discussed in light of the obtained results—failure processes such as the delamination and fibers fracture can be observed. The bending fatigue test was performed under a constant load amplitude sinusoidal waveform. All rebars were subjected to fatigue tests under the R = 0.1 condition. As a result, the S-N curve was obtained, and basic fatigue characteristics were determined. The fatigue mechanism of bar failure under bending was further analyzed using SEM microscopy. It is worth noting that the failure and fracture mechanism plays a crucial role as a material quality indicator in the manufacturing process. The main mechanism of failure under static and cyclic loading during the bending test is widely discussed in this paper. The results obtained from fatigue tests encourage further analysis. The diametral compression test reflects the weakest nature of the composite materials based on the interlaminar compressive strength. The proposed methodology allows us to invariantly describe the experimental transversal strength of the composite materials. Considering the expected durability of the structure, the failure mechanism is likely to significantly improve their fatigue behavior under the influence of cyclic bending. The reasonable direction of searching for reinforcements of composite structures should be the improvement of the bearing capacity of the outer layers. In comparison with steel rebars (fatigue tensile test), the obtained results for GFRP are comparable in the HCF regime. It is worth noting that in the near fatigue endurance regime (2–5 × 10⁶ cycles) both rebars exhibit similar behavior.     

Experimental Investigation of Moisture Sensitivity and Damage Evolution of Porous Asphalt Mixtures

Porous asphalt (PA) mixtures are designed with a high air void (AV) (i.e., 18~22%) content allowing rainwater to infiltrate into their internal structures. Therefore, PA mixtures are more sensitive to moisture damage than traditional densely graded asphalt mixtures. However, the moisture damage evolution of PA mixtures is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the moisture damage evolution and durability damage evolution of PA mixtures. The indirect tensile test (ITT), ITT fatigue test, and Cantabro loss test were used to evaluate the moisture sensitivity and durability of PA mixtures, and a staged ITT fatigue test was developed to investigate the damage evolutions under dry and wet conditions. Indirect tensile strength (ITS), fatigue life, indirect tensile resilience modulus (E), and durability decreased with the increment of moisture damage and loading cycles. The fatigue life is more sensitive to the moisture damage. The largest decrements in ITS and E were found in the first 3000 loading cycles, and PA mixtures tended to fail when the decrement exceeded 60%. Damage factors based on the ITS and E are proposed to predict the loading history of PA mixtures. The durability damage evolution and damage factors could fit an exponential model under dry conditions. Moisture had a significant influence and an acceleration function on the moisture damage evolution and durability damage evolution of PA mixtures.     

How the Thermomechanical Processing Can Modify the High Strain Rate Mechanical Response of a Microalloyed Steel

The effects of thermomechanical processing (TMP) on the mechanical response of microalloyed steels subjected to dynamic loading conditions were examined. The deformation conditions in the thermomechanical laboratory rolling processes were selected on the basis of dilatometric tests. It allowed (with a constant value of total deformation) us to obtain microstructures with different compositions and morphology of the particular components. Several samples characterized by a particularly complex and unexpected representation of the obtained microstructures were selected for further research. Plastometric tests, i.e., compression and tensile tests, were performed under quasi-static loading with digital image correlation (DIC) analysis, and under dynamic loading on the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus with strain rates of 1400 and 2000 s⁻¹. Samples deformed in such conditions were subjected to microstructural analysis and hardness measurements. It has been observed that the use of various combinations of TMP parameters can result in the formation of specific microstructures, which in turn are the source of an attractive mechanical response under dynamic loading conditions. This opens up new possible areas of application for such popular structural materials which are microalloyed steels.     

Effect of Pore Structure on Thermal Conductivity and Mechanical Properties of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

With the premise of investigating mechanical properties, the thermal conductivity of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is a key index of self-insulation block walls for building energy conservation. This study focused on the effect of pore structures on the mechanical performance and thermal conductivity of AAC with the comparison of AAC base materials. Different kinds of AAC and their base materials were prepared and experimentally investigated. While maintaining a consistent mix proportion of the AAC base material, the pore structure of AAC was changed by the dosage of aluminum power/paste, foam stabilizer, and varying the stirring time of aluminum paste. The steam curing systems of AAC and the base material were determined based on SEM (Scanning Electronic Microscopy) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) tests. With almost the same apparent density, the pore size decreased with the increasing content of foam stabilizer, and the mixing time of aluminum paste and foam stabilizer has a great influence on pore size. The thermal conductivity test and compressive test results indicated that that pore size had an effect on the thermal conductivity, but it had little effect on the compressive strength, and the thermal conductivity of sand aeration AAC was 8.3% higher than that of fly ash aeration AAC; the compressive strength was 10.4% higher, too. With almost the same apparent density, the regression mathematical model indicates that the thermal conductivity of AAC increased gradually with the increase of pore size, but it had little effect on the compressive strength. From the test results of basic mechanical properties, the mechanical model of cubic compressive strength, elastic modulus, axial compressive strength, and splitting tensile strength was obtained. The proposed stress–strain relationship model could well describe the relationship of AAC and the base material at the rising section of the curve.     

Experimental Analysis of Dynamic Effects of FRP Reinforced Masonry Vaults

An increasing interest in the preservation of historic structures has produced a need for new methods for reinforcing curved masonry structures, such as arches and vaults. These structures are generally very ancient, have geometries and materials which are poorly defined and have been exposed to long-term historical movements and actions. Consequently, they are often in need of repair or reinforcement. This article presents the results of an experimental study carried out in the laboratory and during on-site testing to investigate the behaviour of brick masonry vaults under dynamic loading strengthened with FRPs (Fiber Reinforced Polymers). For the laboratory tests, the brick vaults were built with solid sanded clay bricks and weak mortar and were tested under dynamic loading. The experimental tests were designed to facilitate analysis of the dynamic behaviour of undamaged, damaged and reinforced vaulted structures. On-site tests were carried out on an earthquake-damaged thin brick vault of an 18th century aristocratic residence in the city of L’Aquila, Italy. The provision of FRP reinforcement is shown to re-establish elastic behavior previously compromised by time induced damage in the vaults.     

Effect of Superabsorbent Polymer on the Mechanical Performance and Microstructure of Concrete

The internally cured material known as superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is an important innovation in concrete engineering technology. This paper investigates the effect of adding a polymer with superabsorbent capabilities on the physical and mechanical performance of concrete. The microstructure of the new hybrid concrete was also studied, and the influence of the polymer particle size and volume on the mechanical durability was evaluated. The mechanical properties of the new hybrid concrete, such as compressive strength, flexural strength, elastic modulus, and splitting tensile strength, were measured through laboratory experiments. The microstructure characteristics of the concrete were also investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that shrinkage was reduced, while the volume stability of the concrete improved. Moreover, we found that cracking was reduced, while issues such as chloride penetration and freeze-thaw resistance were also improved. In addition, the SAP could effectively improve the microstructure of the concrete and refine the pore structure, as seen in the microscopic test. This paper helps to promote the development of internally cured material and improve technology for the prevention of concrete construction cracks.     

Influence of Rapid Freeze-Thaw Cycling on the Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Strain-Hardening Cement Composite (2SHCC)

This paper provides experimental results to investigate the mechanical properties of sustainable strain-hardening cement composite (2SHCC) for infrastructures after freeze-thaw actions. To improve the sustainability of SHCC materials in this study, high energy-consumptive components—silica sand, cement, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers—in the conventional SHCC materials are partially replaced with recycled materials such as recycled sand, fly ash, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, respectively. To investigate the mechanical properties of green SHCC that contains recycled materials, the cement, PVA fiber and silica sand were replaced with 10% fly ash, 25% PET fiber, and 10% recycled aggregate based on preliminary experimental results for the development of 2SHCC material, respectively. The dynamic modulus of elasticity and weight for 2SHCC material were measured at every 30 cycles of freeze-thaw. The effects of freeze-thaw cycles on the mechanical properties of sustainable SHCC are evaluated by conducting compressive tests, four-point flexural tests, direct tensile tests and prism splitting tests after 90, 180, and 300 cycles of rapid freeze-thaw. Freeze-thaw testing was conducted according to ASTM C 666 Procedure A. Test results show that after 300 cycles of freezing and thawing actions, the dynamic modulus of elasticity and mass loss of damaged 2SHCC were similar to those of virgin 2SHCC, while the freeze-thaw cycles influence mechanical properties of the 2SHCC material except for compressive behavior.     

Promising Results of the Comparison of Coatings on Aged Bridges and of Same Coatings in Laboratory

Many factors contribute to the high durability of anti-corrosion coatings. The most frequently mentioned are: appropriate protection design selected for the operating conditions, type of protection-type of metal and/or coatings, surface preparation, and proper application. Particular emphasis is placed on the type of protective materials. A lot of research is also carried out in this direction. In this article, we want to show that the standard protection with an epoxy/polyurethane system with thickness as recommended in ISO 12944-5: 2019, without special active fillers, is able to ensure high durability in a C4/C5 environment. This is confirmed by the presented results of electrochemical analysis, visual evaluation of coatings and adhesion of coatings and allows the use of well-known, inexpensive paint systems, assuming greater emphasis on their proper application. The results of the assessment of coating systems on bridges were used for comparison with the results obtained in various types of accelerated tests of the same coating systems and to make the selection of the optimal version of the laboratory tests.     

Study on Possible Application of Rubber Granulate from the Recycled Tires as an Elastic Cover of Prototype Rail Dampers,with a Focus on Their Operational Durability

This study is an attempt to investigate possible applications of rubber granulate SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) produced from recycled waste tires as an elastic cover for prototype rail dampers, which are aimed at reducing the level of railway noise emitted in the environment. The authors present laboratory procedures and discuss the results of several experimental tests performed on seven different SBR materials with the following densities: 1100, 1050, 1000, 850, 750, 700 and 650 kg/m³. It is proven that rubber granulate SBR produced from recycled waste tires, can be used as an elastic cover in steel inserts in rail dampers, provided that the material density is not lower than 1000 kg/m³. In the conducted tests, samples of the materials with high densities exhibited good static and dynamic elastic characteristics and had sufficient operational durability.     

Vibration Fatigue of FDM 3D Printed Structures: The Use of Frequency Domain Approach

Additive manufactured structures are replacing the corresponding ones realized with classical manufacturing technique. As for metallic structures, 3D printed components are generally subjected to dynamic loading conditions which can lead to fatigue failure. In this context, it is useful, and sometimes mandatory, to determine the fatigue life of such components through numerical simulation. The methods currently available in literature for the estimation of fatigue life were originally developed for metallic structures and, therefore, it is now necessary to verify their applicability also for components fabricated with different materials. To this end, in the current activity three of the most used spectral methods for the estimation of fatigue life were used to determine the fatigue life of a 3D printed Y-shaped specimen realized in polylactic acid subjected to random loads with the aim of determining their adaptability also for this kind of materials. To certify the accuracy of the numerical prediction, a set of experimental tests were conducted in order to obtain the real fatigue life of the component and to compare the experimental results with those numerically obtained. The obtained outcomes showed there is an excellent match between the numerical and the experimental data, thus certifying the possibility of using the investigated spectral methods to predict the fatigue life of additive manufactured components.     

Effects of Temperature on the Evolution of Yield Surface and Stress Asymmetry in A356–T7 Cast Aluminium Alloy

As the electrification of vehicle powertrains takes prominence to meet stringent emission norms, parts of internal combustion engines like cylinder heads are subjected to an increased number of thermal load cycles. The cost-effective design of such structures subjected to cyclic thermo-mechanical loads relies on the development of accurate material models capable of describing the continuum deformation behaviour of the material. This study investigates the effect of temperature on the evolution of flow stress under cyclic loading in A356-T7 + 0.5% Cu cast aluminium alloy commonly used in modern internal combustion engine cylinder heads. The material exhibits peak stress and flow stress asymmetry with the stress response and flow stress of the material under compressive loading higher than under tension. This peak and flow stress asymmetry decrease with an increase in temperature. To compare this stress asymmetry against conventional steel, cyclic strain-controlled fatigue tests are run on fully pearlitic R260 railway steel material. To study the effect of mean strain on the cyclic mean stress evolution and fatigue behaviour of the alloy, tests with tensile and compressive mean strains of +0.2% and −0.2% are compared against fully reversed (R_ε = −1) strain-controlled tests. The material exhibits greater stress asymmetry between the peak tensile and peak compressive stresses for the strain-controlled tests with a compressive mean strain than the tests with an identical magnitude tensile mean strain. The material exhibits mean stress relaxation at all temperatures. Reduced durability of the material is observed for the tests with tensile mean strains at lower test temperatures of up to 150 °C. The tensile mean strains at elevated temperatures do not exhibit such a detrimental effect on the endurance limit of the material.     

Analysis of Damage Evolution in Concrete under Fatigue Loading by Acoustic Emission and Ultrasonic Testing

The fatigue process of concrete under compressive cyclic loading is still not completely explored. The corresponding damage processes within the material structure are especially not entirely investigated. The application of acoustic measurement methods enables a better insight into the processes of the fatigue in concrete. Normal strength concrete was investigated under compressive cyclic loading with regard to the fatigue process by using acoustic methods in combination with other nondestructive measurement methods. Acoustic emission and ultrasonic signal measurements were applied together with measurements of strains, elastic modulus, and static strength. It was possible to determine the anisotropic character of the fatigue damage caused by uniaxial loading based on the ultrasonic measurements. Furthermore, it was observed that the fatigue damage seems to consist not exclusively of load parallel oriented crack structures. Rather, crack structures perpendicular to the load as well as local compacting are likely components of the fatigue damage. Additionally, the ultrasonic velocity appears to be a good indicator for fatigue damage beside the elastic modulus. It can be concluded that acoustic methods allow an observation of the fatigue process in concrete and a better understanding, especially in combination with further measurement methods.     

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

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.