Which material is preferred for railway track ballast?
Crushed stone
Railway track ballast supports the sleepers (ties), distributes loads from the track to the formation, provides drainage, and resists lateral and longitudinal movement of the track. Crushed stone (broken stone) is the most preferred ballast material because:
- Angular particles interlock, providing high resistance to displacement
- Good drainage characteristics
- High durability and strength
- Minimal fouling compared to rounded gravels or sand
Sand and gravel may be used in emergencies but lack the interlocking property. Lime is not used as ballast.
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