Sub Ballast Matting from Projex Group

Projex Group supply the Damtec Sub Ballast Matting (SBM). It is a product that has been warmly received by the railroad construction industry, due to its amazing ability to reduce train noise and vibration in sensitive areas. Here we take a brief look at what sub ballast matting actually is and the major benefits it provides.

What is Sub Ballast Matting?

As its name suggests, sub ballast matting is matting that is placed beneath the ballast on a railway track, particularly on concrete bridges. Track ballast is the bed on which the rail ties or sleepers sit, and it is usually made from crushed stone. It not only bears the load from the rail ties, but also aids with drainage and keeps vegetation from growing up between the rails.

When placed beneath this ballast during the laying of a track, sub ballast matting serves to reduce the noise of the train and carriages and also the vibrations they emit, making it ideal for use in built-up areas where train noise is an issue and vibration-sensitive buildings are located nearby. Sub Ballast Matting also lengthens the service life of the ballast by reducing the stress it is subjected to and spreading it out more evenly.

Sub Ballast Matting is manufactured in Germany and has been used in a number of major projects in both Europe and Australia. It is made from a special mix of rubber granulates, microcellular rubber and polyurethane foam, which is all bonded together with PU-elastomer.

What are the advantages of Projex Damtec Sub Ballast Matting?

There are a number of benefits to laying Sub ballast matting under track ballast. These include:

• Sub Ballast Matting protects the waterproofing layer under the ballast from stone damage.
• It reduces both structure-borne noise and also secondary air-borne noise.
• It protects vibration-sensitive buildings in the vicinity of the track.
• SBM can cope with axle loads of more than 35 tonnes.
• It has a very long service life and extends the life of the ballast as well.
• It's suitable for use in any climactic conditions.
• SBM helps to maintain the level and position of the track.
• It's environmentally-friendly, because it is made from recycled rubber.