Investigation of interlocking effect of crushed stone ballast during dynamic loading

The present paper deals with the experimental investigation of interlocking effect crushed stone ballast material, assessing it as relationship residual and dynamic stresses under layer during laboratory tests consideration different boundary conditions. experiments were executed a scaled model sleeper. measured pressure at bottom surface has two parts: residual. part depends on external loading; remains after unloading. stress was observed up to 3 times higher than due cyclic loading. particles angularity is analyzed. A simple interpretation distribution proposed, that elasticity bounding walls. study could be potentially useful for many practical problems railway track design well maintenance issues.