Within the EU's railway research program IN2TRACK3, a product known as the 3MB track system (Moulded Multi Modular Block slab track system) has been developed. The new innovative track system can be explained as a hybrid solution between traditional ballast tracks and slab track systems. The project has a primary objective for the 3MB system to reduce life cycle costs, improve reliability and punctuality, and increase capacity. The modular construction system allows for easier maintenance of railway tracks, as damaged parts can be replaced more quickly. In September 2022, a full-scale test was initiated on a 50-meter stretch in Gransjö, north of Boden, situated along the Iron Ore Line (Malmbana). Initially planned for a 2-year testing period, but the track system was dismantled and removed after approximately one year due to the emergence of a recurring severe crack pattern within the blocks. This degree project aims to conduct a thorough damage investigation, focusing on investigation the reasons behind the repeated crack patterns observed in the 3MB system. The analysis will particularly emphasise the design of the reinforcement and assesses whether the chosen concrete type is suitable for the specific conditions of the construction. Various laboratory tests, including compressive strength, tensile strength, and thin section analysis, are employed in this investigation. Additionally, a comprehensive literature study is conducted to ensure its credibility and quality. The results reveal that the aggregate in the sample is porous. This porosity increases the risk of frost damage and cracking in the concrete. The air content was measured at 7.1%, which is somewhat high, together with a high w/c equivalent between 0.50 and 0.55, which has a potentially negative impact on the strength. The study's in-depth analysis of the 3MB system blocks revealed two main problems: the choice of porous limestone as aggregate and insufficient coverage of the reinforcing steel. The porous nature of limestone led to water absorption and frost susceptibility, while inadequate coverage resulted in corrosion and frost cracking. Laboratory experiments also showed low tensile strength and uneven concrete quality. Calculations indicated the need for spalling reinforcement. Workmanship errors, including haphazard concrete pouring and suboptimal rail fastening solutions, exacerbated the situation. The study highlights the need for improvements in the concrete's waterproofing and fatigue strength to meet the system's requirements and avoid similar problems in the future. Despite the challenges, the project presents potential for success with the right adjustments and lessons learned from the initial testing phase. Despite challenges and identified obstacles in the project, the 3MB system can succeed. By fine-tuning the concrete recipe, and optimizing reinforcement and aggregate quality, the problems can be avoided. It is crucial to look beyond these obstacles and stick to the overall goal of the project: to establish the sustainable and efficient railways of the future. These challenges can be overcome through careful measures and ensure the project's positive contribution to the transport sector. / Inom EU:s järnvägsforskningsprogram IN2TRACK3 har en produkt känt som 3MB spårsystem (Moulded Multi Modular Block slab track system) utvecklats. Det nya innovativa spårsystemet kan förklaras som en hybridlösning mellan traditionella ballastbanor och ballastfria banor. Projektet har som primärt mål för 3MB-systemet att minska livscykelkostnaderna, förbättra tillförlitlighet och punktlighet, och öka kapaciteten. Det modulära byggsystemet möjliggör enklare underhåll av järnvägasspår, eftersom skadade delar kan bytas ut på ett snabbare sätt. I september 2022 inleddes ett fullskaleprov på en 50 meter lång sträcka i Gransjö, norr om Boden, belägen längs Malmbanan. Ursprungligen planerad för en 2-årig testperiod, men spårsystemet demonterades och togs bort efter cirka 1 år på grund av uppkomsten av ett återkommande allvarligt sprickmönster inom blocken. Målet med detta examensarbete är att genomföra en grundlig skadeutredning, med fokus på att undersöka orsakerna bakom de upprepade sprickmönster som observerats i 3MB-systemet. Analysen betonar särskilt dimensioneringen av armeringen och bedömning om den valda betongtypen är lämplig för konstruktionens specifika förutsättningar. Olika laboratorietester, inklusive tryckhållfasthet, draghållfasthet och tunnslipsanalys, används i undersökningen. Dessutom genomförs en omfattande litteraturstudie för att säkerställa studiens trovärdighet och kvalitet. Resultaten avslöjar att ballasten i provet är porös. Denna porositet ökar risken för frostskador och sprickbildning i betongen. Lufthalten uppmättes till 7,1%, Vilket är något högt, och tillsammans med ett högt vatten-cement-tal mellan 0,50 och 0,55, ger de en potentiellt negativ påverkan på hållfastheten. Studiens djupgående analys av 3MB-systemet block avslöjade två huvudproblem: valet av porös kalksten som aggregat och otillräcklig täckning av armeringsstålet. Kalkstenens porösa natur ledde till vattenabsorption och frostkänslighet, medan otillräcklig täckning resulterade i korrosion och frostsprickor. Laboratorieexperiment visade också på låg draghållfasthet och ojämn betongkvalitet. Beräkningar indikerade behovet av spjälkningsarmering. Utförandefel, inklusive ej fullgod betonggjutning och suboptimala rälbefästnings-lösningar, förvärrade situationen. Studien framhåller behovet av förbättringar i betongens vattentäthet och utmattninghållfasthet för att möta systemets krav och undvika liknande problem i framtiden. Trots dessa utmaningar har projektet en potential att bli framgångsrikt med rätt justeringar och lärdomar från den initiala testfasen. Trots utmaningar och identifierade hinder i projektet kan 3MB-systemet lyckas. Genom att finjustera betongreceptet, optimera armeringen och ballastkvaliteten bör uppkomna problemen undvikas. Det är avgörande att se bortom dessa hinder och hålla fast vid projektets övergripande mål: att etablera framtidens hållbara och effektiva järnvägar. Genom noggranna åtgärder kan dessa utmaningar övervinnas och säkerställa projektets positiva bidrag till transportsektorn.

[pt] No presente trabalho foi estudado o comportamento mecânico do concreto reforçado com fibras de aço na escala do material e estrutural. A caracterização da matriz foi realizada por meio de ensaios de compressão para diferentes idades. Foram realizados ensaios de flexão em três pontos, e ensaios de tração direta em corpos de prova no formato de dog bone, tanto para a matriz quanto para concretos reforçados com fibras de aço. As fibras eram providas de ganchos nas extremidades, com comprimentos de 30, 35 e 60 mm e diâmetros de 0,62, 0,55 e 0,75 mm, respectivamente. As frações volumétricas adotadas foram 0,25, 0,5 e 1,0 por cento. A adição de fibras promoveu aumento na tenacidade e na resistência residual do concreto tanto nos ensaios de flexão quanto tração direta. Ensaios de tração direta em tirantes de concreto armado foram conduzidos para a matriz e para concretos reforçados com 1,0 por cento das fibras de 35 e 60 mm de comprimento. Foi observado que a adição de fibras controlou a abertura de fissuras, aumentou a rigidez pós fissuração e a aderência barra-concreto. Na escala estrutural, ensaios de momento negativo no meio do vão foram conduzidos em dormentes de concreto protendido sem reforço e com 0,5 por cento de fibras de comprimento 35 e 60 mm. O momento de primeira fissura, momento último e a tenacidade foram incrementadas com a adição de fibras no dormente. Os resultados experimentais foram verificados por cálculo teórico. O incremento no momento último pela adição de fibras seguiu o mesmo padrão apresentado experimentalmente. / [en] This work presents an evaluation of the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete on a material and structural scale. The characterization of the matrix was performed by compression tests for different ages. Three-point bending tests and direct tensile tests on dog bone specimens were performed for the matrix and for concrete reinforced with steel fibers. The fibers had hooked-end geometry, were 30, 35 and 60 mm long and had diameters of 0.62, 0.55 and 0.75 mm, respectively. The volume fractions were 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 per cent. The addition of fibers promoted an increase in toughness and residual strength of the concrete in both the flexural and direct tensile tests. Tension stiffening tests were conducted on the matrix and on concretes reinforced with 1.0 per cent of the 35 and 60 mm long fibers. It was observed that the addition of fibers controlled the crack opening, increased post-cracking stiffness and bar-concrete adhesion. In the structural scale, negative bending moment tests at mid span were conducted on reinforced concrete sleepers with 0.5 per cent of the 35 and 60 mm long fibers. The first crack strength, ultimate strength and toughness were increased with the addition of fibers on the sleeper. The experimental results were verified by theoretical calculations. The increment ratio of the ultimate moment by the fiber addition was the same for the theoretical and experimental analysis.

The masters thesis is about operational testing on selected constructions of a railway track „in situ“. There were selected two sections with and without under sleeper pads on a railway track for measurement. These measurements were evaluated then. The result is an assessment of the suitability or unsuitability for under sleeper pads for a rail transport.