Evaluation of the viability of recycling railroad ballast for reusing in railroads

The main objective of this study is to assess the reuse naturally old ballast that was removed from an operating railroad. In order verify viability its reuse, laboratory tests were carried out, based on procedures and parameters established in literature. would reduce costs, minimize disposal material quarry extraction. There are several standards regulations ballast’s (gravel) properties, such as size, shape, hardness, abrasion resistance composition provide better performance rail platform, due wide variety materials environmental conditions which they subjected. Ballast specifications execution characterization can be divided according strength properties geometric properties. Thus, have been used by different railway organizations around world meet needs their projects. One test analyze quality Los Angeles Abrasion, provides data fragmentation. durability depends gravel related original rock composition. This important parameter associated with railroad maintenance, expensive. A series out evaluate well analysis mineralogical characteristics gravel, impact variation these ballast. reusing road then evaluated, it concluded still suitable for reusing, although undergone a few changes, without modifying functions.