Abstract
The purpose of the study is to develop a proposal to improve the supporting reinforced concrete structures for the contact network, taking into account the use of electrically conductive concrete as a reinforced concrete structure component used as a natural grounding in a low-maintenance grounding system for AC traction power supply, as well as to evaluate the electrical corrosion of reinforcement in supporting reinforced concrete structures made of electrically conductive concrete when used as natural grounding a low-maintenance grounding system for AC traction power supply. The research uses such methods as the constructive solution development for effective use of support structures made of electrically conductive concrete as natural earthing devices for a low-maintenance AC traction power supply grounding system, conducting a theoretical analysis of reinforcement electrical corrosion processes with alternating current, calculating the current density through reinforcement foundations made of electrically conductive concrete, comparison of calculation results for low-maintenance grounding system natural earthing devices for alternating current traction power supply made of traditional concrete. The investigation results substantiate the fact that the use of electrically conductive concrete reduces the current density through the reinforcement by about 13-15 times, which makes it possible to neglect the effect of reinforcement electrical corrosion in supporting reinforced concrete structures made of electrically conductive concrete when using them as natural earthing devices for a low-maintenance AC traction power supply grounding system. The optimal design solution has been proposed that eliminates the isolation of anchor bolts and fittings from each other by organizing a rigid welded connection between them, while it seems advisable to replace the insulating plate between the support pillar of the contact network and the contact network support foundation with a shock-absorbing gasket. The grounding of the contact network supports is organized without connection with the rail circuit, which in turn improves their operation and increases the grounding system reliability of the AC traction network. The results obtained are really important for the further development of the design and operation of railways contact network support structures. The use of electrically conductive concrete will increase the reliability and efficiency of the grounding system for contact network support structures in AC traction power supply and it is also the basis of a low-maintenance grounding system, ensuring the railway transport operation safety and cost-effectiveness.
Keywords
grounding, natural grounding, electrically conductive concrete, traction power supply, alternating current, electrical corrosion, foundation structure, support, contact network, low-maintenance technologies, railway transport
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