Title:
Loading Tests of Concrete Monoblock Railway Sleepers
Author(s):
Olli Kerokoski, Antti Nurmikolu, Tommi Rantala
Publication:
NCR
Volume:
45
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
1-14
Keywords:
Concrete sleeper, loading test, damage, crack.
DOI:
Date:
6/15/2012
Abstract:
Prestressed concrete monoblock sleepers have served Finnish railways well for several decades. The main reason to launch a comprehensive research project was to investigate the deterioration mechanisms that primarily determine the life cycle of the sleepers. The loading tests were a part of the study. This paper presents the results of static and dynamic loading tests on concrete sleepers. Several 30- to 40-year-old sleepers removed from Finnish railway lines were loaded. The behaviour of new sleepers was compared to the behaviour of used sleepers. All used sleepers had cracks underneath at the rail seat sections. These cracks did not affect ultimate bending moment capacities. An estimate of the structural performance of the sleepers was developed.
Norwegian Concrete Association, International Partner Access
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