Stabilisation of Problematic Foundation Soils

beneath Rail Tracks for High Speed Trains

UIC International Links Grant Scheme 2006/07
Prof. Buddhima Indraratna
Dr. Mohamed Shahin
Faculty of Engineering, University of Wollongong

Prof. Sarah Springman

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland

Prof. Dave Chan

University of Alberta, Canada

A/Prof. Chu Jian

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Project Summary
The increased coastal population and the congestion of highways
have increased the demand for high-speed trains. Under cyclic
loads imposed by high-speed trains, the pore water pressures of
within the track foundation soil increase rapidly, causing excessive
track settlement and instability. At UoW, research has sparked a
promising potential of using prefabricated vertical drains and
environmentally-friendly chemical admixtures for stabilisation of soft
foundations. Collaboration with world renowned geotechnical
centres at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH-Zurich),
University of Alberta (Canada) and Nanyang Technological
University (Singapore) will further strengthen UoWs reputation
through increased scope for a wider range of research grants and
enhanced potential for cutting-edge deliverables by avoiding
duplicative efforts, as well as promoting greater market
competitiveness.