摘要：There are a number of des.gn procedures.which have been developed to determine the appropriate thicknes. of trackbed layers.on a railway track in order to reduce train induced s.res.es.to an acceptable level thus.ens.ring that s.bgrade failure does.not occur prematurely. This.paper briefly des.ribes.four s.ch procedures.and compares.the thicknes. of trackbed layers.propos.d by each for a number of hypothetical s.tuations. To demons.rate further the s.itability of each procedure, two exis.ing s.tes.in the UK are analys.d and the trackbed layer thicknes. given by each procedure is.then compared. The res.arch s.ows.that the procedures.do not give cons.s.ent res.lts. s.bs.quently it is.s.gges.ed that it is.important to cons.der other as.ects.in addition to the pres.ription of a s.itable thicknes. of trackbed layers.in any new build, renewal or remediation s.heme.