Rail Trail Stabilisation with PolyCom Stabilising Aid

The longest rail trail in Australia, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail offers a 161-kilometer journey through the scenic landscapes of South East Queensland. In a transformative project from May to June 2021, the Somerset Council chose PolyCom Stabilising Aid to fortify over 10 kilometers of their trail section, aiming for a durable, water-resistant surface that minimizes maintenance.

This blog post uncovers the success story behind this venture, spotlighting the collaboration between Somerset Council and local contractors A&M Civil and Kilcoy Earthworks. Join us as we explore the seamless application of PolyCom technology, revealing the enhanced performance and aesthetic finesse it brought to the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.

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The Project

• Client: Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
• Main Contractor: Somerset Regional Council
• Sub-Contractor: A&M Civil Kilcoy Earthworks
• Project Description: Wear Course Stabilisation
• Location: Coominya & Esk, QLD
• Date: May-June 2021
• Product: PolyCom Stabilising Aid

Quality Assurance - Clegg Hammer CBR Tests

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The above table shows the significant strength increase in CBR values that PolyCom can deliver. The Zanow’s material had the higher CBR %, likely as it contained more stone. Visual inspection shows that the Karreman material was actually the better to use as it had a higher percentage of finer material, allowing for a smoother, tighter finish to the surface.

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Image Gallery

2 different approaches towards the stabilisation were taken. A&M placed the gravel and used a stabilising machine to mix the PolyCom on-site while Kilcoy Earthmoving mixed the PolyCom into a gravel stockpile with an excavator prior to placing it on the trail and compacting it. Both methods work extremely well with the versatile PolyCom, as would a standard wet-mix with a Grader

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The successful implementation of PolyCom Stabilising Aid in rail stabilisation projects has paved the way for continued progress and enhancement of our rail trail infrastructure. With the council allocating specific funding each financial year for maintenance and improvement initiatives, we anticipate further strides in 2024 and beyond. Building upon our successes in 2021, where we stabilised a significant portion of the rail trail, subsequent years have seen continued momentum with an additional 5.5km stabilised in 2022 and another 9km in 2023. This ongoing commitment underscores our dedication to delivering safe, sustainable, and resilient rail trail networks, ensuring they remain accessible and enjoyable for generations to come.

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Thank you to SEALS Group who conducted this project.

+61 422 020 385

info@sealsgroup.com

www.sealsgroup.com

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