Concrete Sleepers

Concrete Sleepers introduces in the modern construction of railway tracks. Mainly sleepers are of concrete, timbers, steel, cast iron. In thees various types of sleepers, due to need for better design and economy of sleeper on sustainable basis Concrete Sleepers engages.

These are the members which lay transverse to the rails on which the rail supports and fixes. Sleepers are concrete beds in the railway tracks. The main role of sleepers is to transfer load from rails to the ballast. And the sub-grade below. It as a transverse member throughout the permanent way.

Concrete Sleepers

It is  using more than any other sleepers because of its unique properties. They are more resistant to wear and tear. It withstands blows and vibrations cause due to heavy moving loads. And it is fewer subjects to chemical attacks, termite attacks, and more corrosion resistance.

There are two types of sleepers they are,

• Reinforced and
• Pre-stressed Concrete sleepers

Concrete is the best and suitable material for sleepers in railway tracks. Some of the main and important features are as follows,

1. It is a strong and homogeneous material
2. Not affect by moisture
3. Unaffected by chemical attacks
4. High resistance to wear and tear
5. Unaffected by sub-soil salts

Advantages of Concrete Sleepers

It is having a maximum life compare to other sleeper forms.

No difficulties in the track circuiting.

Not affect easily by moisture, termites, white ants, insect attacks.

Having a high load carrying capacity.

High tendency to absorb shocks and vibrations.

Withstands wear and tear due to heavy moving loads.

Disadvantages of Concrete Sleepers

Weight is high compared to other types of sleepers.

It requires more fittings like pads, plugs,etc.

In derailment of sleepers the damages are very heavy.

After the life completes it is not re-usable therefore the scrap value is low.