MERITS AND ECONOMICS OF PREFABRICATED TYPES OF HIGHWAY-RAILWAY GRADE CROSSINGS

THE USE OF CONCRETE SLAB CROSSINGS IN THE CITY OF EDMONTON, CANADA IS REPORTED. THE NINETY INSTALLATIONS IN THIS CITY AND 24 IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, CONSIST OF PRECAST WITH 2-INCH STEEL CHANNELS AROUND THE TOP EDGES. THEY HAVE A SINGLE CENTER SLAB 47 INCHES WIDE BETWEEN THE RAILS AND A 15.75-INCH SLAB ON THE OUTSIDE OF EACH RAIL. CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS ARE MADE FOR USE ON CURVED TRACKS AND SPECIAL SITUATIONS. THE ROCKING AND BREAKING PROBLEM USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH CONCRETE SLAB CROSSINGS HAS BEEN SOLVED BY THE USE OF AN ARCHED-BOTTOM DESIGN WHICH ALLOWS ONLY CERTAIN AREAS OF THE BOTTOM OF THE SLAB TO CONTACT THE CROSS TIES OR SHIMS. EACH SLAB IS FASTENED TO THE TIES BY TWO OR MORE LAG SCREWS WITH SPRING WASHERS UNDER THE HEADS. VERY LITTLE MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN REQUIRED IN 10 YEARS. THE SERVICING REQUIRED INVOLVED REFILLING THE SMALL GAPS BETWEEN SLABS WITH HOT ASPHALT EVERY 2 YEARS AND SPRAYING THE SLABS WITH VARSOL-LINSEED OIL TO PREVENT SPALLING. WHEN SPALLING OCCURRED, SLABS WERE RESURFACED IN PLACE USING AN EPOXY PRODUCT. INSTALLATION COSTS ARE GIVEN AND THE ADVANTAGES IN THE USE OF THE TECHNIQUE ARE OUTLINED.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • BULLETIN 630
• Authors:
  • Cerny, L T
• Publication Date: 1970-11

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 172-3
• Serial:
  • Am Railway Engineering Assoc Bulletin
  • Volume: 72

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt; At grade intersections; Contaminants; Economics; Maintenance; Precast concrete; Prefabricated structures; Slabs; Spalling
• Old TRIS Terms: Radioactive contamination
• Subject Areas: Economics; Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00217370
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 16 1974 12:00AM