Photogrammetry for digital reconstruction of railway ballast particles – a cost-efficient method

Abstract

Ballast aggregate is a natural material widely used in railway lines. Its mechanical properties and particle geometry are meticulously defined using well-established standards and characterisation procedures. Though extensively validated, these procedures have some limitations: they are operator dependent; only provide major particle dimensions; do not inform on surface colour; nor allow for advanced particle wear analysis or particle-based simulations. This work presents a cost-efficient photogrammetry method for 3D reconstruction of ballast particles, as an alternative to the significantly expensive laser scanning. It produces digital models of equivalent or higher quality, allowing for advanced and automated particle geometry analyses. Particle meshes produced here are shared among researchers.