Closure to "Micromechanics-Based Investigation of Fouled Ballast Using Large-Scale Triaxial Tests and Discrete Element Modeling"

The writers would like to express their appreciation for the feedback provided by the discusser, and for raising some important aspects of clay-fouled ballast used in the laboratory and as simulated using the discrete element method (DEM). Although the writers are in general agreement with the discusser's comments, some points warrant further clarification, as highlighted herein.