SLEEPERS

Part 1

New Training Module Annexure T-1 (a), Part II. 3

 Functions of Sleepers
In a Railway Track, sleepers perform the
following functions

• To hold the rails to proper gauge in all situations.

i.e. exact gauge
• To support the rails firmly and evenly throughout.
• To distribute the load transmitted through rails
over large area of ballast underneath
• To hold the rails to proper level in tracks.
 Functions of Sleepers
contd….

• To provide and elastic medium between the rails and

ballast and also to absorb the vibrations caused due to
moving axle loads.
• To maintain proper alignment of the track.
• To provide the general stability of the permanent way
throughout.
• To provide the insulation of track for the electrified for
signalling.
• To provide easy replacement of the rail fastenings
without any serious traffic disturbances.
 Types of Sleepers

Depending on type of material, there are following

types of sleepers:-

(a) Wooden Sleepers

(b) Cast Iron Sleepers
(c) Steel Trough Sleepers
(d) Concrete Sleepers
 SLEEPERS contd….

(2) Wooden, Cast Iron and Steel Trough Sleepers

• Have become obsolete and at present concrete

sleepers are being used widely.
• For certain specific locations e.g.
• Girder bridges,
• Points and crossings etc.
• Composite sleepers are being gradually introduced.
(a) Wooden Sleepers
(b) Cast Iron Sleepers
(b) Cast Iron Sleepers
(c) Steel Trough Sleeper
(c) Steel Trough Sleeper
 Concrete Sleepers
There are following types of Concrete sleepers:-

• Twin-block concrete sleeper

• Mono-block concrete sleepers
Twin-block concrete sleeper
Twin-block concrete sleeper
 Mono-block concrete sleepers
Amongst the Mono-block and Twin-block concrete
sleeper types,
• Indian Railway uses the Mono-block Pre-stressed
concrete sleepers predominantly.
• These PSC sleepers provide longitudinal & lateral
stability required for LWR and due to the Flat
bottom,
• These sleepers are suitable for mechanized tamping.
• The PSC sleepers are manufactured to conform to
RDSO specification No IRS: T-39 (Plain Track) and IRS:
T-45 (Turnout sleepers).
Mono-block concrete sleeper
Mono-block Pre-stressed concrete
sleeper Manufacturing
Mono-block concrete sleepers Track
 Mono-block concrete sleepers
PCS-12 and PCS-14
• PCS-12 is the latest type of prestressed concrete (PRC)
sleeper for use on BG routes with 52-kg rails and elastic rail
clips.
• For use with 60-kg rails and elastic rail clips, the PCS-14
sleeper has been standardized on Indian Railways.
• The important dimensions of both of these types of sleepers
are shown in Figure and listed as follows.
• Length = 2750 mm
• Weight = 267 kg
• Reinforcement: Eighteen Number 3 mm diameter strands
• Concrete is to be of controlled quality with a minimum 28-
day crushing strength of 525 kg/cm2
Each strand to be tensioned with an initial tensile force of
2730 kg
Mono-block concrete sleeper

Pandrol Clip
Rubber Pad

1 in 20 Cant at Rail Seat

Mono-block concrete sleeper
Mono-block concrete sleeper
PCS-12 Mono block Concrete Sleeper
 Advantages of Concrete sleepers

(a) Concrete sleepers, being heavy, lend more strength

and stability to the track and are specially suited to
LWR due to their great resistance to buckling of the
track.
(b)Concrete sleepers with elastic fastenings allow a
track to maintain better gauge, cross level, and
alignment. They also retain packing very well.
(c) Concrete sleepers, because of their flat bottom, are
best suited for modern methods of track maintenance
such as MSP and mechanical maintenance, which have
their own advantages.
 Advantages of Concrete sleepers
contd…

(d)Concrete sleepers can be used in track-circuited areas,

as they are poor conductors of electricity.
(e) Concrete sleepers are neither inflammable nor subjected
to damage by pests or corrosion under normal
circumstances.

(f) Concrete sleepers have a very long lifespan, probably

40-50 years. As such rail and sleeper renewals can be
matched, which is a major economic advantage.

(g) Concrete sleepers can generally be mass produced using

local resources.
Identification of Concrete Sleepers
• (a) Concrete sleepers can be identified by the drawing no.
and code of sleeper manufacturer with year of manufacture
engraved on the top end surface of sleepers.
• Permanent Way staff should take care to see that they are not
obliterated during maintenance
• (b) All the PSC sleepers are tested for electrical resistance at
the time of manufacture, and sleepers are marked by paint
with “FTC” to indicate Fit for Track Circuiting and “NFTC” to
indicate not fit for track Circuited location.
• This shall be noted while using the sleepers at site.
• (c) When concrete sleepers are used in yards with fish-plated
track/SWR, the sleeper spacing at fish-plated joint shall be
kept uniform.
• In addition, 1 m long fishplates may preferably, be provided
at such joints.
 Composite Sleeper

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THANK YOU