Ballasten

Ballasten is a Dutch verb that refers to loading a vessel, structure, or foundation with ballast to improve stability, mass, and resistance to dynamic forces. The term derives from ballast, the heavy material used to provide counterweight, and is applied in maritime, railway, and civil engineering contexts.

In maritime practice, ballast denotes seawater or freshwater taken into ballast tanks to stabilize ships when cargo is light or unevenly distributed. Ballast tanks are sealed compartments that can be filled or emptied to adjust trim and draft. In rail and road construction, ballasting means placing a layer of granular material, typically crushed stone or gravel, under tracks or foundations to distribute loads, aid drainage, and maintain alignment; the ballast layer is compacted and periodically maintained by tamping and cleaning.

Materials and methods vary by application. Common ballast materials include crushed rock, gravel, sand, or concrete. In shipping, ballast water management is governed by international conventions to prevent the spread of aquatic organisms, with treatment systems used to reduce invasions. In rail and civil works, ballast performance depends on particle size, grading, compaction, and drainage; improper ballast can lead to excessive settlement, reduced bearing capacity, or track misalignment.

Related concepts include ballast, ballast water, and track ballast, which describe the fluids, materials, and layers involved in stabilizing vessels and structures.