STATE-OF-THE-ART REPORT ON PRESTRESSED CONCRETE TIES FOR NORTH AMERICAN RAILROADS

The extensive use of prestressed concrete ties by railroads all over the world indicates that the concrete tie has become an important constituent of the modern railway track structure. Pretensioned concrete ties account for about 80 percent of the world's annual prestressed concrete tie production. Methods of pretensioned concrete tie fabrication, material requirements, and design considerations are presented. Requirements for rail fastening systems and ballast materials are outlined. Methods for laboratory testing of ties and fastenings, and field performance of concrete tie track in the United States are discussed. Finally, advantages of concrete ties are summarized. The growing interest in North America in the use of concrete ties is justified by the greater consistency in product quality, suitability of concrete ties for use with continuously welded rails, expected long service life, and reduced maintenance requirements. With more than 100 million pretensioned concrete ties already in service, experience shows that the precast prestressed tie is functional, performs well structurally, and is durable and economical.

• Corporate Authors:

  Portland Cement Association

  5420 Old Orchard Road
  Skokie, IL  United States  60077
• Authors:
  • Hanna, A N
• Publication Date: 1979

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 16 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ballast (Railroads); Concrete; Concrete ties; Fabrication; Laboratory tests; Prestressed concrete ties; Rail fasteners; Railroad ties; Railroad tracks; Structural design; Test tracks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Track stiffness
• Old TRIS Terms: Cross tie design; Track structures
• Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00324486
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: RD063.01R Reprint
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 18 1981 12:00AM