SUBSTITUTES FOR WOOD TIES

This progress report on substitutes for wood ties includes information on ties used in European countries, progress in prestressed concrete railroad ties, and work done in the AAR Research Laboratory. Metal and reinforced concrete sleepers (ties) have been used in France. The metal sleepers gave good results with light traffic, but could not be used on high-speed and circuited tracks. Concrete ties supplementing wooden ones were advantageous because their reported service life was from 30 to 40 years. The AAR Research Laboratory used three different rail designs on standard and lightweight aggregates. Lime-rock aggregate ties could not sustain loads imposed in heavy-duty travel. Bolts extending completely through concrete ties with rail clips were the most satisfactory rail fastenings.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Publication Date: 1960

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 408-412
• Serial:
  • AREA BULLETIN
  • Volume: 61
  • Publisher: American Railway Engineering Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete; Concrete ties; Prestressed concrete ties; Rail (Railroads); Railroad ties; Steel; Structural design
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail design; Steel cross ties
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00052345
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 15 1976 12:00AM