For two decades, designers of railway systems worldwide have found Reinforced Earth to be ideally suited for support of track beds and bridge and trestle abutments, for earth retention structures adjacent to rights-of-way, and for deflection walls to protect bridge piers from impact in the event of derailment. Stray currents from direct current traction power railways have been shown to be of little concern in corrosion of the metallic soil reinforcements used in Reinforced Earth structures. The discrete metallic reinforcements used in Reinforced Earth structures lack electrical continuity, so the reinforcements act as individual short length conductors instead of part of a continuous network. Therefore, there is no tendency for stray currents to collect on individual reinforcements, accumulate as a result of electrical continuity, and discharge to the earth at remote locations. Select backfill that conforms to the standard mechanical and electrochemical requirements for Reinforced Earth structures provides additional resistance to the flow of stray currents. Several examples of the performance of galvanized reinforcing strips in stray current situations are provided. It is noted that galvanized steel reinforcements without a cathodic protection system have been the predominant choice since 1990.
Effects of Stray Currents on Performance of Metallic Reinforcements in Reinforced Earth Structures
Transportation Research Record
Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board ; 1675 , 1 ; 61-66
1999-01-01
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Effects of Stray Currents on Performance of Metallic Reinforcements in Reinforced Earth Structures
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