Chapter 23

Concrete & Other

Artificial Ties
Types of ties
Timber Concrete
Plastic (and composite) Steel
2
Concrete

Early Use

Problems (not pre-stressed)

After World War II

Pre-stressed Designs
Revised Specs

Concrete Cross Ties (Monoblock)
Precast, pre-stressed concrete
Effective for high tonnage or high speed track
Elastic fastener systems of various designs
Vulnerable to mechanical damage, rail seat abrasion,
effects of poor subgrade
Must insulate in track circuit territory
Typical Concrete Tie
~ 2 1/2 times heavier than wood ties,
More expensive than wood ties
Pre-cast, Pre-Stressed, elastic fastenings embedded

Turnout
Highway Crossing
Surface
Tie Manufacturer

Fastenings


Recent Experience


Economics ???

Epoxy Repair of Concrete Tie Rail
Seat Deterioration
Wear and Abrasion
Some Problems with Concrete Ties
Pumping Track (stiffer track compared to
wood tie track, need quality support for
concrete tie track)
Concrete Tie Pads


Recent Experiences with Concrete Ties

Need high-quality subgrade for support

Pressures on ballast are higher under concrete ties
compared to wood ties

Concrete tie track produces stiffer(higher
modulus) track compared to wood tie track

Rail-Seat abrasion and insert problems
AREMA Manual
Performance Specifications

Tie Spacing wider than wood ties

Tie Dimensions slightly larger than wood ties

Load Distribution higher ballast pressure

Impact Factor higher than for wood ties
55%
For 27-inch
tie spacing

Ballast Pressure


Subgrade Pressure


Lateral & Longitudinal Loads


Rail Flexure



Concrete Properties very high strength


Pre-tensioning Tendons typically 270 kip

Tie Pads -- important



Steel


Two-Block Concrete/Steel


Plastic
Steel Ties
Rolled channel shape with downturned ends
Elastic fastener systems of various designs
Track stiffness comparable to timber ties
Poor for wet or corrosive environments
May abrade soft ballast materials

Alternate Concrete Tie

Two-Block
or
Bi-Block
With
Steel Beam


Reconstituted/Laminated Wood

Slab Track

Azobe & Mora Wood

Plastic
Concrete Slab Track
Direct Fixation
Ballastless Track

Azobe Hardwood Ties
Plastic Ties
Attractive in areas where timber is decay prone
In-track behavior similar to timber
Compatible with timber tie handling and installation
equipment
Compatible with fasteners used for timber
Pre-drill fastener holes to avoid splitting tie
30
First Steel Reinforced Plastic Bridge Ties installed in American railroading.
Bridge P 424.8 Leeds, AL May, 2005 Manufactured by Plastic Pilings.
An additional 1000 ties will be installed in 2006
31
BURKE PARSONS BOWLBY PARRALAM DECK
LUMBER CITY, GA