Alves, RubensRamos, AnaCastanheira Pinto, AlexandreRios, S.Fernández Ruiz, Jesús2024-11-212024-11-212024Alves, R., Ramos, A., Castanheira-Pinto, A., Rios, S., & Fernández-Ruiz, J. (2024). Steel Slag Sub-Ballast for Sustainable Railway Track Infrastructure. Infrastructures, 9(7), 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9070106http://hdl.handle.net/2183/40231[Abstract:] Railway lines require a significant amount of natural raw materials. Industrial by-products can be used instead, reducing the costs of natural aggregate exploration. This work analyzes a ballasted track’s short- and long-term performances when replacing conventional sub-ballast aggregate with steel slag. After an extensive laboratory characterization of the steel slag, the material performance was analyzed in a 3D numerical model of a ballasted track when included in a railway track. An empirical model was implemented and calibrated to predict the long-term permanent deformation induced in the track after many train passages. The results are compared with the allowable deformation limits required for conventional high-speed ballasted track railway lines. An additional analysis was conducted to assess the influence of steel slags on the critical speed of conventional railway tracks when used. The results show a residual impact on the critical speed value compared to the conventional sub-ballast made with natural aggregates.engAtribuciónhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/Short- and long-term performances3D numerical modelCyclic triaxial testsCritical speedEAFjournal articleopen access10.3390/infrastructures9070106