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The RIALTO® system

How it’s done

RIALTO® is an ultra-fast system for the re-waterproofing of existing railway bridges whose original waterproofing is no longer effective.

The system is based on the use of a special synthetic rubber membrane, internally reinforced with two layers of polyester fabric. This membrane adapts easily to the irregularities of the installation surfaces and is turned upwards along the edges creating a waterproof ‘tank’, which collects rainwater above the structure to be protected and, through appropriate slopes of the installation surfaces, conveys them towards the drainage wells, previously placed under the membrane.

The membrane is able to both guarantee absolute impermeability and to withstand the stresses transmitted by the ballast with wide safety margins, without the need for lower or upper protective layers. The membrane is produced in the factory in the dimensions necessary based on the characteristics of the bridge, with widths up to approximately 12 m and lengths up to approximately 50 m. For application on bridges of significant dimensions, multiple membranes are used, guaranteeing the tightness of the system through appropriate overlaps or dry joints.

The installation of the system takes place under conditions of interruption of train circulation, in an extremely short time.

Generally, we proceed through the following phases:

Removal of the superstructure, stacking the track spans off-site and subsequent removal and removal of the ballast.

Rimozione dell’armamento e del ballast

Excavation and shaping of the installation surfaces, with adequate slopes, valleys and watersheds and possibly finished by a layer of arid material of suitable size.

Scavo e formazione delle superfici di posa

Installation and backfilling of water collection wells and related drainage pipes, after carrying out the necessary excavations and any holes in the structures.

Posa in opera e rinterro dei pozzetti

Installation of the membrane with relative fixing along the ballast walls and formation of any overlaps or joints.

Posa in opera della membrana con relativo fissaggio lungo i muri para-ballast e formazione delle eventuali sovrapposizioni o giunzioni

Restoration of the ballast and installation of the previously removed track spans.

ripristino-della-massicciata-sistema-rialto-

Restoration of the superstructure with the usual stages of tamping, welding, iron change, etc.

Ripristino dell’armamento

The RIALTO® system is extremely fast. Regardless of the previous phases (preparation of the laying surfaces) and subsequent ones (restoration of the ballast and the superstructure), the unrolling of the membrane alone can have a yield of approximately 1000 m2/hour.

The system can be implemented on bridges of any length, width and type, taking advantage of one or more traffic interruptions. Bridges up to 100 m in length and more were waterproofed in 24-36 hours.

The system is not affected in any way by the weather conditions present at the time of installation and its implementation can therefore be scheduled in advance as necessary at any time of the year.