The use of a new slab track system in the renovation of the Vierendeel railway bridges in Mechelen

The existing ballastless track with wooden sleepers on the Vierendeel bridges in Mechelen will be replaced by a new slab track system with continuously welded rails across the bridge. Additionally, the rails will be positioned eccentrically on the stringers due to track optimization. This paper describes the design and implementation of this new modular track system that consists of prefabricated fully welded steel frames that are bolted onto the existing superstructure. During the design stage, focus was on the required load transfer via the steel frame to the bridge superstructure, on the large difference in steel characteristics between the old and new material and on the position of joints and fastenings. Lateral and longitudinal stiffness of the track was tested on a prototype and the final solution was already installed and successfully implemented on one bridge. In addition, field tests in relation to rail-bridge interaction have started.

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