27-Jul-21

HOGGING OF RAILS

How to remove it?

SLEEPERS

SLEEPERS SLEEPERS

Definition:

Sleepers are the transverse ties that are laid to support the
rails.

They have an important role in the track as they transmit

the wheel load from the rails to the ballast.
 27-Jul-21

SLEEPERS SLEEPERS

Functions of sleepers: Requirements of ideal sleepers:

 Holding the rails in correct gauge and alignment  Initial as well as maintenance cost should be minimum.

 Giving a firm and even support to the rails
 Transferring the load evenly from the rails
 Acting as an elastic medium between the rails and ballast
 Providing longitudinal and lateral stability to the track
 Providing the means to rectify the track geometry during their
service life.
 The weight of the sleeper should be moderate so that it is
convenient to handle.
 The designs of the sleeper and the fastenings should be such
that it is possible to fix and remove the rails easily.
 Should have sufficient bearing area so that the ballast under
it is not crushed.
 The sleeper should be such that it is possible to maintain and
adjust the gauge properly.

SLEEPERS SLEEPERS

Requirements of ideal sleepers (contd.): Types of sleepers based on position:

 The material of the sleeper and its design should be such that it Depending upon the position of in the railway track, sleepers may be
does not break or get damaged during packing. classified into two categories -

 The design of the sleeper should be such that it is  Longitudinal sleeper

possible to have track circuiting.
 Transverse sleeper
 The sleeper should be capable of resisting vibrations and shocks
caused by the passage of fast moving trains.

 The sleeper should have anti-sabotage and anti-theft

features.
 27-Jul-21

SLEEPERS SLEEPERS

Types of sleepers based on position: Types of sleepers based on position:

Depending upon the materials, sleepers may be classified into
following categories -

 Timber / wooden sleeper

 Steel sleeper

 Cast-iron sleeper

 Concrete sleeper

SLEEPERS SLEEPERS

Timber sleepers: Properties of timber sleepers:

It fulfils the requirements of an ideal sleepers satisfactorily and hence,  Utility
it is universally used almost ever since the invention of rail.
 Life
Only the possible shortage of wood in future has led to the thinking of
sleepers of other materials.  Corrosion

 Insulation

 Treatment

 Size
BALLAST
 BALLAST

Definition:

The material placed in between the sleeper and the top of the
formation is known as ballast.

The load from the wheels of trains ultimately comes to the

ballast through rails and sleepers.
BALLAST
 BALLAST

Functions:
▪ Provides a level and hard bed for the sleepers to rest on.
▪ Holds the sleepers in position during the passage of trains.
▪ Transfers and distributes load from the sleepers to a large area of
the formation.

▪ Provides elasticity and resilience to the track for proper riding

comfort.
▪ Provides the necessary resistance to the track for
longitudinal and lateral stability.
▪ Provides effective drainage to the track.
▪ Provides an effective means of maintaining the level and
alignment of the track.
 BALLAST

Requirements:
It should be --
▪ tough and wear resistant.
▪ hard so that it does not get crushed under loads.
▪ generally cubical with sharp edges.
▪ non-porous and should not absorb water.
▪ resist both attrition and abrasion.
▪ durable and should not get pulverized or disintegrated under
adverse weather conditions.
▪ allow for good drainage of water.
▪ cheap and economical.
 BALLAST

Materials used as ballast:

▪ Broken stone
▪ Gravel
▪ Sand
▪ Kankar
▪ Moorum
▪ Brickbats
▪ Selected earth
▪ Ashes
 BALLAST

Depth of ballast:
The depth of the ballast is defined as the distance between the
bottom of the sleeper and top of the sub-grade.
 BALLAST

Laboratory Tests for Properties of Ballast :

▪ Aggregate abrasion value
▪ Aggregate impact value
▪ Flakiness index
▪ Specific Gravity and
▪ Water Absorption Test