A novel application of thermoplastic polyurethane/waste rubber powder blend for waterproof seal layer in high-speed railway. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiao, Xin; Wang, Jiayu; Cai, Degou; Lou, Liangwei; Xiao, Feipeng
• Is Part Of: Transportation geotechnics. Volume 27(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Thermoplastic polyurethane -- Waste rubber powder -- Elastic modulus -- Finite element method -- Waterproof seal layer; Engineering geology -- Periodicals; Soil mechanics -- Periodicals; Rock mechanics -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Periodicals; 624.15105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trgeo.2020.100503
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-3912

Abstract

Abstract: The moisture induced damage is considered a serious threat to the durability of the high-speed railway system. In this paper, an innovative application of thermoplastic polyurethane/waste rubber powder blend (TPU/WRP) with higher elastic modulus was introduced to enhance the water resistance of high-speed railway structure as a waterproof seal layer. The thermoplastic polyurethane has been proved to have excellent mechanical and waterproof properties, and waste rubber has the advantages in cost and sustainability. The objective of this study was to design the TPU/WRP material and evaluate its moisture resistance and mechanical properties. The compressive test was used to determine the elastic modulus and the permeability test was conducted to verify waterproof performance. Further, the finite element method (FEM) was applied to analyze its mechanical responses under both dynamic and static conditions. The results indicated that TPU/WRP containing 69.2% PU matrix, 30% WRP, and 0.8% PU defoaming agent had excellent supporting and waterproofing properties. Thus, it is recommended to consider TPU/WRP material as a functional waterproof material for preventing subbase and subgrade layers from moisture damage in heavy load traffic environment such as high-speed railway.