Impermeable membranes for slab-track settlement mitigation

A series of numerical simulations is used to explore the effect of the geometrical disposition of impermeable membranes in the overall performance of slab-track railway earthworks, with particular reference to the generation of settlement during several years of exposure to the atmosphere and the admissibility of these post-construction deformations according to the available standards. A methodology suitable to account for the effects of rail traffic loading and environmental actions over its service life is presented. To emphasise the effect of the water-impermeable membranes on the atmospheric-induced embankment irreversible deformations, both semi-arid and wet climate conditions were investigated, making use of real climate data for a period of 10 years. The numerical results show that the calculated settlement can be beyond the admissible values and that the use of impermeable membranes is an available alternative for its mitigation.