Railways & Railbeds
Lightweight support beneath the track.
Enviro-Rock is a lightweight foam glass aggregate used beneath railway systems and within rail embankments where reducing loading on weak or compressible subgrades is important. At approximately 200–240 kg/m³, it can replace heavier granular fill below conventional rail, ballast, and base layers while providing a stable, free-draining platform beneath the track system.
Key Uses
- Lightweight railway subgrade fill
- Rail embankments and grade raises
- Rail construction over weak or compressible soils
- Settlement-sensitive track areas
- Rail yards and constrained urban corridors
- Track approaches near bridges and structures
- Free-draining granular fill beneath rail systems
- Frost-sensitive railway applications
Overview
Railway systems require consistent support to maintain track geometry while accommodating repeated loading over the life of the infrastructure. On weak or compressible soils, building the required elevation entirely with conventional granular fill can add substantial weight and contribute to long-term settlement.
Enviro-Rock can be incorporated below conventional ballast and granular track layers as a lightweight fill zone, with geotextile separation used as required by the project design. Its low density reduces stress on the underlying subgrade while its open granular structure provides drainage and supports a stable platform beneath the railway system.
Railways & Railbeds
Lightweight support beneath the track.
Enviro-Rock is a lightweight foam glass aggregate used beneath railway systems and within rail embankments where reducing loading on weak or compressible subgrades is important. At approximately 200–240 kg/m³, it can replace heavier granular fill below conventional rail, ballast, and base layers while providing a stable, free-draining platform beneath the track system.
Key Uses
- Lightweight railway subgrade fill
- Rail embankments and grade raises
- Rail construction over weak or compressible soils
- Settlement-sensitive track areas
- Rail yards and constrained urban corridors
- Track approaches near bridges and structures
- Free-draining granular fill beneath rail systems
- Frost-sensitive railway applications
Overview
Railway systems require consistent support to maintain track geometry while accommodating repeated loading over the life of the infrastructure. On weak or compressible soils, building the required elevation entirely with conventional granular fill can add substantial weight and contribute to long-term settlement.
Enviro-Rock can be incorporated below conventional ballast and granular track layers as a lightweight fill zone, with geotextile separation used as required by the project design. Its low density reduces stress on the underlying subgrade while its open granular structure provides drainage and supports a stable platform beneath the railway system.
Key Performance Considerations
Reduced Embankment Loading
Low unit weight reduces railway embankment dead load and the additional stress imposed on weak or compressible foundation soils beneath the track structure.
Frost Resistance
Freeze-thaw resistance and insulating performance support railbed applications where seasonal freezing and frost-related ground movement are important design considerations.
Sound & Vibration Attenuation
The cellular structure of foam glass can help attenuate sound and vibration, providing an additional performance benefit within railway and rail embankment applications.
Key Performance Considerations
Reduced Embankment Loading
Low unit weight reduces railway embankment dead load and the additional stress imposed on weak or compressible foundation soils beneath the track structure.
Frost Resistance
Freeze-thaw resistance and insulating performance support railbed applications where seasonal freezing and frost-related ground movement are important design considerations.
Sound & Vibration Attenuation
The cellular structure of foam glass can help attenuate sound and vibration, providing an additional performance benefit within railway and rail embankment applications.
Bring Enviro-Rock to your project
Request the specs for your design, or reach out and we'll point you to the right details.