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SINERGIA 44
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
While the teams worked
well together, it was also
important to establish types
and to conclude that the
refurbishment of the line
was possible along 80% of
its length and within the
time-scales established”
quicker, more flexible and
with better quality and
consequently with greater
cost savings.
In addition to Francisco Asseiceiro, the
investigation also involved Mota-Engil's
Jorge Cruz from the technical team, Nuno
Cruz from the geology and geothecnics
team, and the Central Laboratory team,
together with Eduardo Fortunato from
LNEC.
“Mota-Engil contacted LNEC with a view
to, firstly, analyse the work which had
been carried out to date and secondly to
find out if there was any way of preparing
a bid which met with the needs of VALE,
in the sense of resolving the problem”,
stated Eduardo Fortunato, the lead
researcher for transport infrastructure
team from the laboratory.
The action plans included an initial stage
of evaluation of the sub-structure of the
line as a basis for the bid to be submitted
by Mota-Engil and also as a basis for the
options available, followed by a second
stage for the study of the solutions for
the works to be applied on the railway
platform.
The methodology consisted of a series
of tests which began with an on-going
assessment of the geometrical quality
of the line with an auscultation vehicle
together with the analyses of the depth
of the ballast and contaminated ballast
using geo-radar along the 100 kilometres
length of the line.
Tests were then carried out, determining
the mechanical characteristics of the
sub-structure soil at various points,
and laboratory samples were taken.
Finally, plate load trials were carried
out every kilometre along the length of
the stretch to determine the rigidity of
the line platform.
These near 100 tests carried out were
then completed in the areas where
behaviour was most anomalous
with a view to establishing the areas
where the platform would need to be
refurbished.
“While the teams worked well together,
it was also important to establish types
and to conclude that the refurbishment
of the line was possible along 80% of
its length and within the time-scales
established” says Nuno Cruz, who
added that this alternative method
proved to be quicker, more f lexible and
with better quality and consequently
with greater cost savings.
With a view to studying refurbishment
options compatible with the existing
conditions and the materials available on
site for the more problematic areas, the
construction of a 30-metre long test line
at the Mota-Engil yard at Poceirão was
decided, where various refurbishment
solutions for the sub-structure of the
Nuno Cruz and Jorge Cruz