Formation Stiffness Measurement

This project aims to research a system for the direct measurement of the condition of the formation on which the p-way is constructed. This will allow effective asset management & reduce overall cost of rail infrastructure ownership & maintenance. The purpose of track is to transfer train loads to the formation using a discrete system of rails, sleepers & ballastbed which sits on the formation. Load transfer works on the principle of stress reduction, layer by layer through these components. Areas where the formation is either weak or changes rapidly present significant problems when maintaining a section of track due to poor track geometry, where does the issue lie; the rail, sleepers, ballast or formation? This project will research a vehicle mounted continuous formation stiffness measurement (FSM) solution.