Doc No: DPD073.GN

Revision: March-09

© 2009

This document has copyright, which is owned by Sonneville International Corporation (SIC) and may not be reproduced, in whole, in part, or in any form whatsoever without

prior written authority from SIC. This document has been submitted on the understanding that it will not be used in any way against the interest of SIC.

LOW VIBRATION TRACK (LVT)

New construction

SONNEVILLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

8109 Tis Well Drive, Suite 513

Alexandria, VA 22306, USA

Tel. +1 703 619 1530

Fax +1 703 619 1534

E-mail mail@sonneville.com

www.sonneville.com

Doc No: DPD073.GN

Revision: March-09

Low Vibration Track (LVT) – New construction Page 2 of 10

Distribution and assembly

LVT support delivery

LVT support distribution

After the civil works are surveyed, the pre-assembled LVT

supports are transported and distributed along the alignment.

The rails are then pulled or pushed over the LVT supports on

rollers, lowered on the previously positioned rail pads and

secured in place with the rail fastenings.

The entire track distribution can take place by rail, a work train

carrying the LVT supports and rails advancing over the track as

the work progresses. This method is particularly advantageous

for long single bore tunnels with limited access points.

Rail distribution

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Revision: March-09

Low Vibration Track (LVT) – New construction Page 3 of 10

Rail distribution as a first step

LVT support distribution

Rail threading

If logistically preferable, the rails are first distributed along the alignment, followed by the LVT supports. The rails are then

threaded onto the LVT supports and the rail fastenings installed.

Doc No: DPD073.GN

Revision: March-09

Low Vibration Track (LVT) – New construction Page 4 of 10

Option to pre-assemble rail strings

Option to pre-assemble track panels

Short or long rail strings may also be entirely pre-assembled at the staging area, transported and distributed along the alignment.

Doc No: DPD073.GN

Revision: March-09

Low Vibration Track (LVT) – New construction Page 5 of 10

The track can be used for work train traffic as soon

as it is distributed, assembled and secured with

temporary gauge bars.

Once the rails are connected longitudinally with temporary fish plates or permanent welds and secured transversally with

temporary gauge rods (and lateral props if necessary), the track resting below its final level can immediately be used for work

train traffic to advance the trackwork and simultaneously perform E&M and other works by rail.

Doc No: DPD073.GN

Revision: March-09

Low Vibration Track (LVT) – New construction Page 6 of 10

Final track adjustment prior to concreting

Once a track section is scheduled to be concreted, temporary

gauge bars that accurately and rigidly set the track gauge and

rail inclination are installed between the rails, typically at three

or four LVT support intervals.

Vertical screws incorporated into the temporary gauge bars

permit to adjust the vertical alignment including superelevation

in curves and a lateral adjustment mechanism built into each (or every second) temporary gauge bar permit to adjust the

horizontal alignment.

Alternative methods such as the one developed by Rhomberg

Bau have also proven very effective.

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Revision: March-09

Low Vibration Track (LVT) – New construction Page 7 of 10

Track geometry verification

The track geometry is checked and, if necessary, corrected and checked again before the track concrete placement is authorized

to proceed, thus eliminating any need for post-concreting adjustments.

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Revision: March-09

Low Vibration Track (LVT) – New construction Page 8 of 10

Concreting equipment

Concrete placement

The concrete is brought to site from the nearest access point by high rail or rubber tyred ready-mix trucks, belt conveyors, pumps

or a combination thereof. Upon discharge, preferably through an intermediate chute, the concrete is vibrated and directed to

flow under and around the LVT supports in a consistent manner.

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Revision: March-09

Low Vibration Track (LVT) – New construction Page 9 of 10

Option of encasing the base of every 4th pair of

LVT supports prior to final concreting.

In order to speed-up the recycling of the temporary gauge

bars, thereby reducing their quantity, and to provide for

unobstructed access during track concrete placement, the

same principle as illustrated earlier can be implemented but

only the base of every 4th LVT support encased in concrete

after the track is placed to its final line and level.

The track can then be used for work train traffic again as soon

as the resulting intermediary encasement concrete hardens

and the temporary gauge bars are removed. The final track concrete placement is subsequently simplified and accelerated.

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Revision: March-09

Low Vibration Track (LVT) – New construction Page 10 of 10

Provision for conductor rail anchoring

For lines with third rail electrification, the insulator supports or anchoring inserts can be precisely located in the track concrete

with temporary brackets affixed to the running rails. These brackets are removed and recycled at the same time as the temporary

gauge bars and the contact rail is then installed from a work train.