Daily Facts
Practical Life
Why Are There Rocks on Railroad Tracks?
The rocks under railroad tracks, called ballast, ensure the stability and proper functioning of the rails under the weight of trains.
The ballast forms a compact bed of angular stones that distributes the massive loads of trains (up to several hundred tons) across the ground, preventing settling and deformation. These rocks absorb the shocks and vibrations from passing trains, protecting passenger comfort and preventing nearby houses from shaking hundreds of meters away. Without ballast, the vibrations would propagate directly through the ground.
Permeable by nature, ballast allows water to drain during rain, prevents puddles from forming, and limits vegetation growth. It is sifted every 7 years and replaced every 40 years to counteract compaction.
Source: futura-sciences.com
A fact like this one every morning
Over 1,500 facts, quizzes to test yourself and a home screen widget.