Ballast

{
  "id": "MLC-T-IND-000400",
  "term": "Ballast",
  "field": "Industrial and trades",
  "definition": "Crushed stone, gravel, or other granular material placed beneath railway tracks or road surfaces to provide support, drainage, and stability. In railway construction, it distributes the load from the sleepers (ties) to the underlying subgrade and prevents vegetation growth. The size and type of aggregate are specified by engineering standards for different applications.",
  "subject": "Industrial supplies, equipment, and components",
  "see_also": [
    "autoballaster",
    "ballast wagon",
    "unballasted"
  ],
  "translations": {
    "de": "Ballast",
    "es": "balasto",
    "fr": "ballast"
  },
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/industrial/ballast/"
}