Indraratna, B., Vinod, J. S. & Lackenby, J. (2009). Géotechnique 59, No. 7, 643–646 [doi: 10.1680/geot.2008.T.
005]
TECHNICAL NOTE
Influence of particle breakage on the resilient modulus of railway ballast
B. I N D R A R AT NA * , J. S . V I N O D * a n d J. L AC K E N B Y †
Numerous research studies have been carried out in the
recent past to determine the influence on the resilient
modulus of railway ballast of parameters such as stress
history, number of loading cycles, density, grading, fines
content, maximum grain size, aggregate type, particle
shape and moisture content. However, the influence of
particle breakage on the resilient modulus has not been
described in depth. The current study highlights the
influence of particle breakage on the resilient modulus of
latite ballast (commonly used in railway track in New
South Wales, Australia). Aggregate degradation is repre-
sented by the ballast breakage index (BBI). Laboratory
test results indicate that the BBI has a profound influence
on the resilient modulus of ballast. The resilient modulus
increases with BBI, irrespective of the effective confining
pressure. In addition, a simple hyperbolic relationship
has been proposed between the resilient modulus MR and
the bulk stress ö for latite ballast.
KEYWORDS: deformation; gravels; laboratory tests; particle
crushing; repeated loading
INTRODUCTION
The cyclic response of granular materials is usually charac-
terised by the resilient modulus. For repeated loads in
triaxial testing with constant confining stress, the resilient
modulus MR is defined as the ratio of the applied cyclic
deviator stress to the recoverable (resilient) axial strain
during unloading (Seed et al., 1962), as illustrated in Fig. 1.
The resilient modulus is generally taken to characterise the
cyclic densification of granular aggregates commonly used
in pavements and rail lines. The resilient behaviour of
railway track bed is complex, because the properties of the
soil (subgrade) underlying the track affect the ballast degra-
dation and rate of settlement. In addition, the resilient
behaviour of the ballast itself will contribute to the recover-
able deformations of the track bed, which in turn affects the
track performance.
In the recent past, numerous studies have been carried out
to quantify the influence on the resilient modulus of ballast
of parameters such as the stress history, number of loading
cycles, density, grading, maximum grain size, aggregate
type, particle shape, and moisture content. A detailed study
of the influence of these parameters can be found elsewhere
(e.g. Allen, 1973; Lekarp et al., 2000). In general, the
resilient modulus increases significantly with the confining
pressure and with the bulk stress (the sum of principal
stresses). Recent studies by Indraratna and Salim (2005),
Manuscript received 14 January 2008; revised manuscript accepted
14 November 2008. Published online ahead of print 11 February
2009.
Discussion on this article is welcomed by the editor.
* School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering,
University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
† Douglas Partners, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
643
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De nombreux travaux de recherche ont été récemment
effectués afin de déterminer l’influence de différents
paramètres, comme par exemple l’historique des contra-
intes, le nombre de cycles de charge, la densité, le
calibrage, la teneur en fines, la granulométrie maximale,
le type d’agrégats, la forme des particules et la teneur en
humidité sur le module réversible du ballast pour voies
ferrées. Toutefois, la profondeur l’influence des ruptures
de particules sur le module réversible n’a pas été décrite.
Cette étude met en lumière la façon dont la rupture de
particules influe sur le module réversible du ballast en
latite (utilisé fréquemment sur les voies ferrées dans le
New South Wales, en Australie). La dégradation de
l’agrégat est représenté par l’indice de rupture du ballast
[ballast breakage index (BBI)]. Des tests en laboratoire
indiquent que BBI influe de façon profonde sur le module
réversible du ballast. Le module réversible augmente
proportionnellement au BBI, indépendamment de la
pression de confinement effective. En outre, on propose
un simple rapport hyperbolique du module réversible
(MR ) sur la contrainte totale (j j), pour le ballast en latite.
Indraratna et al. (2005) and Lackenby et al. (2007) high-
lighted the particle degradation response of railway ballast
under cyclic loading, and determined that the extent of
particle breakage is significantly affected by the confining
pressure. However, for reasons of brevity, they did not
discuss the influence of particle breakage on the resilient
modulus of ballast. This technical note is a follow-up to the
above work, and describes the influence of particle breakage
on the resilient modulus. Data obtained from laboratory
experiments carried out on latite ballast (commonly used in
railway track in New South Wales, Australia), as reported by
Lackenby et al. (2007), were used for the current study.
Detailed explanations of the testing equipment and experi-
mental procedures can be found elsewhere (Indraratna et al.,
2005; Lackenby et al., 2007).
Resilient modulus
The resilient modulus is defined by
˜q
MR ¼ (1)
år
where ˜q is the difference between qmax and qmin , and år is
the recoverable (resilient) axial strain during triaxial unload-
ing, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The value of qmin was set to
45 kPa for all tests, to take into account in-track stresses
such as sleeper and rail weights.
Particle breakage index
Aggregate breakage is represented by the ballast breakage
index (BBI), as introduced by Indraratna et al. (2005). The
BBI employs the change in the fraction passing a range of
sieve sizes (Fig. 2), and it is estimated from
 644 INDRARATNA, VINOD AND LACKENBY

qmax

Deviator stress: kPa

Deviator stress: kPa

∆q ⫽ qmax ⫺ qmin
MR ⫽ ∆q/εr

∆q

qmin
qmax qmin
Time Strain: εr: %
εp εl
(a) (b)

Fig. 1. (a) Cyclic loading curve, showing the maximum and minimum deviator stress;
(b) representation of strains during one cycle of load application

1 (b) the optimum degradation zone (ODZ)

d95i (c) the compressive stable degradation zone (CSDZ).
A
BBI ⫽ A
A⫹B dmax
B These zones are defined by the level of effective confining
pressure (ó 39 ) acting on the specimen, and they depend on
ge

PSD ⫽ particle size distribution the level of maximum deviator stress qmax applied. Table 1
ka

2·36 ⫽ smallest sieve size shows the range of ó 39 values corresponding to different
ea
br

d99 ⫽ d95 of largest seive

Fraction passing

degradation zones for latite basalt for different values of

um
im

size qmax (Lackenby et al., 2007).

ax
m
of
ry
da
un
bo

Shift in PSD RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

ry

Figure 3 presents the variation of resilient modulus MR

tra

caused by
bi

B
after 500 000 cycles with effective confining pressure ó 39 for
Ar

degradation
A different average values of ballast breakage index BBI. As
shown in the figure, the average BBI values for the different
Initial PSD
values of q ¼ 230, 500 and 750 kPa were found experimen-
Final PSD tally to be 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1 respectively. It can be observed
0 that BBI has a profound influence on the magnitude of MR ,
2·36
0
Sieve size: mm
63 which increases with BBI irrespective of ó 39 . An increase in
BBI will result in a reduction in void ratio, which will
Fig. 2. Determination of ballast breakage index (BBI) (after increase the coordination number of the particles and there-
Indraratna et al., 2005) fore increase the interparticle contact area, hence contribut-
ing to an increased MR .
Figures 4 and 5 present the variation of BBI and MR with
Table 1. Variation of effective confining pressure corresponding ó 39 for constant maximum deviator stresses, qmax , of 230 kPa
to different degradation zones for latite basalt and 500 kPa respectively. Also presented are the boundaries
of the ballast degradation zones. It can be seen that MR
Degradation zone Effective confining pressure, increases gradually with ó 39 in both the DUDZ and ODZ for
ó 39 : (kPa) qmax values of 230 kPa and 500 kPa. However, a marked
increase in MR is observed in the compressive (CSDZ)
qmax ¼ 230 kPa qmax ¼ 500 kPa

Dilatant unstable ,15 ,25 600

degradation zone (DUDZ)
Average BBI ⫽ 0·1
Resilient modulus, MR: MPa

Optimum degradation 15–65 25–95 500

zone (ODZ)
Compressive stable .65 .95 400 0·05
degradation zone (CSDZ)
300 0·02

qmax ⫽ 230 kPa

200
A qmax ⫽ 500 kPa
BBI ¼ (2)
Aþ B 100 qmax ⫽ 750 kPa

incorporating a linear particle size axis. Indraratna et al. 0

(2005) showed that, during cyclic loading, the pattern of 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
particle breakage could be characterised by three distinct Effective confining pressure, σ ⬘3: kPa
degradation zones:
Fig. 3. Variation of resilient modulus with effective confining
(a) the dilatant unstable degradation zone (DUDZ) pressure for varying values of maximum deviator stress

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 PARTICLE BREAKAGE INFLUENCE ON RAILWAY BALLAST RESILIENT MODULUS 645
0·025 390
Relationship between MR and bulk stress

Resilent modulus, MR: MPa

370 The resilient modulus of granular materials can be ex-
0·020
350
pressed by a simple hyperbolic model, sometimes cited as
the K–ö model (Hicks, 1970). This model expresses MR as
0·015 330 a function of the sum of principal stresses (ó 19 þ ó 29 þ ó 39 )
BBI

BBI
310 also known as the bulk stress (ö), where
0·010
290
0·005
MR M R ¼ k 1ö k2 (3)
270
DUDZ ODZ CSDZ
0 250
1 10 100 1000 In the above equation, k1 and k2 are empirical coefficients.
Effective confining pressure, σ ⬘3: kPa For triaxial tests, wherein symmetry in directions (2) and
(3) is maintained (ó 29 ¼ ó 39 ), the sum of principal stress
Fig. 4. Variation of BBI and resilient modulus with effective simplifies to (ó 19 þ 2ó 39 ).
confining pressure for cyclic deviator stress of 230 kPa Figure 6 presents the variation of MR with ö for the
various values of ó 39 and qmax considered in this study. It is
shown that all values of MR fall within a narrow band,
0·060 470 irrespective of ó 39 and qmax . For latite ballast this highlights
the emergence of a unique relationship between the resilient
:
0·055 modulus and bulk stress, given by MR ¼ 40ö0 34 (R2 .
Resilent modulus, MR: MPa
450
0·050
.
0 95).
430
0·045 BBI
BBI

0·040 410
CONCLUSIONS
0·035 This study investigated the influence of particle breakage
390
0·030
on MR of railway ballast, based on data from previous
MR studies by Indraratna and co-workers (Indraratna and Salim,
370
0·025 2005; Indraratna et al., 2005; Lackenby et al., 2007). The
DUDZ ODZ CSDZ
0·020 350 following conclusions can be drawn.
10 100 1000
Effective confining pressure, σ⬘3: kPa (a) Particle breakage (BBI) appears to have a profound
influence on MR . MR increases with BBI irrespective of
Fig. 5. Variation of BBI and resilient modulus with effective the effective confining pressure, ó 39 .
confining pressure for cyclic deviator stress of 500 kPa (b) MR increases gradually with ó 39 in the dilating zones
(DUDZ and ODZ). However, in the compressive zone
(CSDZ) an abrupt increase in MR occurs, which may be
region as ó 39 exceeds 65 kPa. The percentage increase of MR attributed to the increased stress level at particle
in this zone was found to be 28% for qmax ¼ 230 kPa and contacts and the resulting restriction of internal particle
16% for qmax of 500 kPa. In the CSDZ, increased ó 39 will sliding and rolling.
increase the stress level at the particle contacts while (c) For latite basalt (a commonly used type of ballast in
restricting internal particle sliding and rolling (Indraratna et Australia), a simple hyperbolic relationship relating the
al., 2005), which will contribute towards an increase in the resilient modulus MR and bulk stress ö can be given:
:
resilient modulus. MR ¼ 40ö0 34 .

600

500 17
15 16
No. qmax σ ⬘3
Resilient modulus, MR: MPa

11 14 1 230 10
400 8 9 2 230 30
6 7 10
12
5 3 230 60
13 4 230 120
4 5 500 10
300 6 500 20
3 7 500 30
1 2 8 500 45
9 500 60
200 10 500 90
11 500 120
12 750 60
13 230 240
100 14 500 180
15 750 120
16 500 240
17 750 240
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
Bulk stress, φ: kPa

Fig. 6. Relationship between resilient modulus and bulk stress

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 646 INDRARATNA, VINOD AND LACKENBY
NOTATION Hicks, R. G. (1970). Factors influencing the resilient properties of
BBI ballast breakage index granular materials. PhD thesis, University of California.
k1 , k2 empirical coefficients Indraratna, B. & Salim, W. (2005). Mechanics of ballasted rail
MR resilient modulus tracks: A geotechnical perspective. Leiden: Taylor & Francis/
qmax maximum applied deviator stress Balkema.
qmin minimum applied deviator stress Indraratna, B., Lackenby, J. & Christie, D. (2005). Effect of confin-
˜q difference between qmax and qmin ing pressure on the degradation of ballast under cyclic loading.
ó 19 effective principal stress in direction (1) Géotechnique 55, No. 4, 325–328.
ó 29 effective principal stress in direction (2) Lackenby, J., Indraratna, B., McDowell, G. & Christie, D. (2007).
ó 39 effective confining pressure Effect of confining pressure on ballast degradation and deforma-
åp plastic strain tion under cyclic triaxial loading. Géotechnique 57, No. 6, 527–
år resilient strain 536.
ö bulk stress Lekarp, F., Isacsson, U. & Dawson, A. (2000). State of the art. I:
Resilient response of unbound aggregates. J. Transp. Engng
ASCE 126, No. 1, 66–75.
REFERENCES Seed, H. B., Chan, C. K. & Lee, C. E. (1962). Resilience character-
Allen, J. J. (1973). The effects of non-constant lateral pressures on istics subgrade soils and their relation to fatigue failures.
the resilient properties of granular materials. PhD thesis, Uni- Proceedings of the international conference on structural design
versity of Illinois. of asphalt pavements, Ann Arbor, MI, pp. 611–636.

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