The modermization and upgrade of railway infra-structures. Geotechnical aspects.

Abstract

Toe modernization of the Portuguese Railway Network includes, among other aspects, the improvement and renewal works in various railway lines. Concerning the platform the main purpose is fulfil the new requirements, which are related to the increase of maximum load per axis, to the increase in the traffic and the need to permit high-speed circulation. ln this work, reference is made to the characteristics of the railway platform and to its importance in the overall behaviour of the railway line. Some aspects are presented referring to the methodology used in the renewal study of the Portuguese North Line (Lisboa-Oporto) railway platform. A commented presentation is made of the studies that have been performed since 1998, as regards the modernization project.