COMPOSITE RAILROAD TIES RUN WOOD INTO GROUND

Researchers are developing railroad ties constructed from recycled plastics, recycled polyethylene, and fiber glass as an alternative to the more than 15 million wood railroad ties replaced on tracks each year. Larger trains are now forcing railroad ties to support more weight, which hastens their degradation. Wood prices also have been climbing, and the creosote used to protect wooden ties has raised environmental concerns. Concrete ties have gained some acceptance, but they can be used only on new installations or sections where all the ties are replaced. Wood and concrete ties cannot be used interchangeably, because they react differently to the same conditions, jeopardizing the rail's integrity. Concrete ties also weigh three times more than wood, making them difficult to install with typical replacement machinery. Composite ties weigh the same as wood and have performed well in tests. However, because composite ties cost $70 each to produce, compared with about $30 for wooden ones, they will likely only be used at first in tunnels, curves, switches, bridges, grade crossings, paved areas, and other areas where ties receive heavy wear.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/10480594
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Publication Date: 1998-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 21-22
• Serial:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Volume: 68
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0885-7024
  • Serial URL: http://www.pubs.asce.org/ceonline/newce/html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Composite materials; Concrete; Durability; Equipment replacement; Ethylene resins; Fiberglass; Plastics; Railroad ties; Recycled materials; Wood
• Uncontrolled Terms: Polyethylene; Replacement costs
• Old TRIS Terms: Replacements
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00749200
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 16 1998 12:00AM