What is slab track?
Slab track, also known as ballastless track, is a revolutionary solution for railway infrastructure that replaces traditional ballasted systems with a solid concrete foundation. Designed for the highest performance standards, slab track technology provides unparalleled durability and highly consistent track geometry. Its robust design ensures optimal performance in even the most challenging environments, such as tunnels and bridges.
A new standard in rail construction
The concept of slab track eliminates the need for traditional ballast layers, opting instead for rigid concrete slabs. This innovation addresses common issues found in traditional rail systems, such as ballast degradation, uneven settlements, and high maintenance requirements.
This long-term investment provides rail operators with a high-performance solution that minimizes maintenance costs while maximizing operability and the lifecycle of the track.
Pitfalls of traditional slab track construction
There are two common slab track construction methods: sleepers embedded in concrete and prefabricated ballastless tracks.
However, both systems have their own pitfalls, like labor-intensive construction involving long construction times, specialised and expensive equipment, complicated installation to ensure track geometry and safety risks. Stabirail revolutionized the whole construction process, used since 2012.
By using a continuous building process in which concrete can be milled on the spot and rails can be assembled directly on the concrete bed, all on the construction site without any pre-fabrication necessary.
Read more about our construction process here.
Bottom-up slab track
Stabirail has pioneered the bottom-up slab track construction method, setting a new benchmark in railway technology. Unlike traditional top-down methods, Stabirail’s approach begins with precision-milled concrete beds. This process ensures unmatched accuracy and eliminates common issues like longitudinal rail movement and structural sagging during installation.
What makes bottom-up slab track unique?
- Innovative machinery
Stabirail uses state-of-the-art 3D systems and water-cooled diamond equipment for precision and efficiency. - Faster installation
Continuous construction processes allow for rapid track laying, significantly reducing project timelines. - Proven performance
With installations requiring minimal maintenance even after 25 years, Stabirail’s solutions are trusted worldwide.
We’re a Belgian based company operating all over the world,
specialized in drilling and grinding concrete, our construction method is patent-pending.
Characteristics and advantages
Slab track systems stand out due to their unique characteristics:
- Precision engineering: accurate to within 2mm, ensuring exceptional stability and alignment.
- Durability: engineered for a minimum lifespan of 60 years, far surpassing traditional ballasted tracks.
- Low maintenance: requires significantly fewer, easier and minimal maintenance over its lifetime, reducing operational downtime.
- Enhanced load distribution: the rigid slab absorbs and evenly distributes loads from passing trains, reducing wear and tear.
- High load capacity: designed to handle the demands of high-speed and heavy freight operations.
- Adaptability: suitable for various environments, including high-speed lines, metro systems, mass rapid transport networks, bridges and other situations with height or weight constraints.
- Sustainability: reduced material usage and lower emissions during construction, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
The benefits of Stabirail’s bottom-up slab track construction are numerous, for a detailed breakdown of these advantages, read our advantages page.
