Elastomeric rail pads and under-sleeper pads tuning track stiffness, reducing ballast degradation and controlling ground-borne vibration.
Rail pads are placed between rail and sleeper (or directly under the sleeper) to provide controlled elasticity in the track structure. Correct stiffness selection reduces dynamic amplification, extends ballast life and mitigates ground-borne vibration in sensitive areas.
The pad introduces a defined spring element into the load path. Softer pads lower the dynamic wheel-rail force and spread load across more sleepers, but increase rail deflection; stiffer pads reduce deflection but transmit higher forces to the ballast. Selection balances these against the design speed and axle load.