Understanding Load Transfer Characteristics within Track Sub-structure: Queensland Experience

This paper describes the assessment of load transfer characteristics of the track sub-structure under both laboratory and field conditions. A full scale laboratory test program was initially used to trial a new experimental technique to estimate the load transfer through the ballast and capping layers to the formation. This paper also provides details of the field assessment including the experimental techniques used, the characteristics of the test locations and the results obtained from all tests. A comparison of the field test results with the results from the laboratory tests and several other commonly used empirical methods is also provided.