Geotechnical properties of cohesive soils used in the construction of subgrade for the development of the railways in the Azov-Black Sea region

This work is devoted to the determination and systematization of the properties of clay soils used in the construction of new railway tracks in order to develop the railway network in the Azov-Black Sea region of Russia. To this end, classification characteristics have been determined by traditional laboratory methods and the possibility of soil swelling under excessive moisture has been estimated. In addition, the compressibility of soils has been studied as the main factor ensuring the trouble-free operation of the subgrade of railways during their long-term operation. Soil samples for measurements were taken from open pits located near construction sites at an extended length of construction of 530 km. The new regression relations proposed in the work provide in some cases the accuracy of determining the soil characteristics close to the accuracy of laboratory tests. They may be in demand when monitoring the accuracy of laboratory tests of soil properties of other open pits and to increase the speed of pre-design surveys during further development of the railroad network in this region.