Japanese HSR tracks on MAHSR (Few pics from the chinese side for comparison)
Pic 1: A worker filling the gap between the stopper and the slab with sealant. This liquid creates a watertight seal and acts as a buffer for thermal expansion, preventing the concrete from cracking.
Pic 2: Japanese J-Slab tracks.
Pic 3: J-Slab precast unit (L&T factory). The circular cutouts lock onto cylindrical stoppers 👉🏼👌🏼 to prevent the track from moving laterally or longitudinally.
Pic 4: Chinese CRTS III track. It features a smooth surface because the stoppers (shear keys) are hidden underneath. Unlike the Japanese design, it uses no liquid sealant and uses different method to tackle thermal expansion.
Pic 5: Chinese CRTS I. An earlier generation of Chinese track that uses the rectangular stoppers shown here.