An experimental and numerical study on the mechanical behavior of Kunststof Lankhorst Product (KLP) sleepers

Document Type : Article

Authors

1 School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China

2 Department of Engineering Structures, Delft University of Technology, Postbus 5, 2600 AA Delft, the Netherlands

Abstract

This paper studies the mechanical behavior of two types of KLP sleeper, namely low-density polyethylene sleeper (LDPE-16) and high-density polyethylene sleeper (HDPE-25) with 16 mm and 25 mm steel bars diameter, respectively, in static, dynamic and longtime static three points bending moment tests. Therefore, HDPE-25 and LDPE-16 with six strain gauges mounted on their steel bars, were manufactured to assess their mechanical responses. Moreover, a finite element method (FEM) model is developed to perform a sensitivity analysis based on different diameters of steel bars for HDPE with 16 mm (HDPE-16) and LDPE with 25 mm (LDPE-25). The results show that steel bars of LDPE-16 yielded under 4 hours of 30 kN load, while, HDPE-25 shows significant resistance. Numerical results show that HDPE-25 is overdesigned and can be replaced by LDPE-25 which has lower weight and price. The natural frequencies of HDPE-25 are almost 16%, 19%, 16% and 33% higher than the three first bending frequencies and first torsion frequency of LDPE-25, respectively, that proves the better performance of LDPE-25 in case of preventing resonance. Moreover, the bending modulus HDPE-25 is almost 42%, 45% and 65% is higher than HDPE-16, LDPE-25 and LDPE-16, respectively.

Keywords

References

References

1.        Esmaeili, M., Zakeri, J. A., Kaveh, A., Bakhtiary, A., and Khayatazad, M., “Designing granular layers for railway tracks using ray optimization algorithm”, Sci. Iran., 22(1), pp. 47–58 (2015).
2.        Zakeri, J. A. and Hassanrezaei, H., “Experimental Investigation on Effect of Winged Sleeper on Lateral Resistance of Ballasted Track”, Sci. Iran. (2020).
3.        Jing, G., Wang, J., Wang, H., and Siahkouhi, M., “Numerical investigation of the behavior of stone ballast mixed by steel slag in ballasted railway track”, Constr. Build. Mater., 262, p. 120015 (2020).
4.        Zhao, J., Chan, A. H. C., and Burrow, M. P. N., “Reliability analysis and maintenance decision for railway sleepers using track condition information”, J. Oper. Res. Soc., 58(8), pp. 1047–1055 (2007).
5.        Sadeghi, J., “Field investigation on vibration behavior of railway track systems” (2010).
6.        Hill, K. and Relph, S., “Steel railroad sleepers” (2001).
7.        Mitchell, R., Baggott, M. G., and Birks, J., “Steel Sleepers-An Engineering Approach to Improved Productivity”, Conf. Railw. Eng. 1987 Prepr. Pap., Institution of Engineers, Australia, p. 131 (1987).
8.        Jing, G., Fu, H., and Aela, P., “Lateral displacement of different types of steel sleepers on ballasted track”, Constr. Build. Mater., 186, pp. 1268–1275 (2018).
9.        Jing, G., Siahkouhi, M., Edwards, J. R., Dersch, M. S., and Hoult, N. A., “Smart railway sleepers-a review of recent developments, challenges, and future prospects”, Constr. Build. Mater., p. 121533 (2020).
10.      Manalo, A., Aravinthan, T., Karunasena, W., and Ticoalu, A., “A review of alternative materials for replacing existing timber sleepers”, Compos. Struct., 92(3), pp. 603–611 (2010).
11.      Zakeri, J. A. and Bakhtiary, A., “Comparing lateral resistance to different types of sleeper in ballasted railway tracks”, Sci. Iran., 21(1), pp. 101–107 (2014).
12.      Jing, G. Q., Aela, P., Fu, H., and Yin, H., “Numerical and experimental analysis of single tie push tests on different shapes of concrete sleepers in ballasted tracks”, Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part F J. Rail Rapid Transit, 233(7), pp. 666–677 (2019).
13.      Li, B., Li, H., Siahkouhi, M., and Jing, G., “Study on Coupling of Glass Powder and Steel Fiber as Silica Fume Replacement in Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Concrete Sleeper Admixture Case Study”, KSCE J. Civ. Eng., pp. 1–12 (2020).
14.      Ferdous, W., Manalo, A., Van Erp, G., Aravinthan, T., Kaewunruen, S., and Remennikov, A., “Composite railway sleepers–Recent developments, challenges and future prospects”, Compos. Struct., 134, pp. 158–168 (2015).
15.      Adams, J. C. B., “Cost effective strategy for track stability and extended asset life through planned timber sleeper retention”, Conf. Railw. Eng. 1991 Demand Manag. Assets; Prepr. Pap., Institution of Engineers, Australia, p. 145 (1991).
16.      Ferdous, W., Manalo, A., Van Erp, G., Aravinthan, T., and Ghabraie, K., “Evaluation of an innovative composite railway sleeper for a narrow-gauge track under static load”, J. Compos. Constr., 22(2), p. 4017050 (2018).
17.      Rothlisberger, E., “History and development of wooden sleeper”, Website:< http://www. corbat-holding. ch/documents/showFile. asp>, viewed, 20 (2008).
18.      Miller, R., “Rail and tramway sleepers: Product recognition, identification and presentation, viewed 29 May 2008” (2007).
19.      Yella, S., Dougherty, M., and Gupta, N. K., “Condition monitoring of wooden railway sleepers”, Transp. Res. part C Emerg. Technol., 17(1), pp. 38–55 (2009).
20.      Zakeri, J. A. and Bakhtiary, A., “Comparing lateral resistance to different types of sleeper in ballasted railway tracks” (2014).
21.      Thompson, D. J. and Verheij, J. W., “The dynamic behaviour of rail fasteners at high frequencies”, Appl. Acoust., 52(1), pp. 1–17 (1997).
22.      Sadeghi, J. and Barati, P., “Comparisons of the mechanical properties of timber, steel and concrete sleepers”, Struct. Infrastruct. Eng., 8(12), pp. 1151–1159 (2012).
23.      Song, W., Huang, B., Shu, X., Stránský, J., and Wu, H., “Interaction between railroad ballast and sleeper: a DEM-FEM approach”, Int. J. Geomech., 19(5), p. 4019030 (2019).
24.      Ferdous, W. and Manalo, A., “Failures of mainline railway sleepers and suggested remedies–review of current practice”, Eng. Fail. Anal., 44, pp. 17–35 (2014).
25.      GangaRao, H. V. S., Taly, N., and Vijay, P. V, Reinforced Concrete Design with FRP Composites, CRC press (2006).
26.      Ferdous, W., Manalo, A., Khennane, A., and Kayali, O., “Geopolymer concrete-filled pultruded composite beams–concrete mix design and application”, Cem. Concr. Compos., 58, pp. 1–13 (2015).
27.      Ferdous, W., Khennane, A., and Kayali, O., “Hybrid FRP-concrete railway sleeper” (2013).
28.      Jing, G., Siahkouhi, M., Qian, K., and Wang, S., “Development of a field condition monitoring system in high speed railway turnout”, Measurement, 169, p. 108358 (2020).
29.      Esmaeili, M. and Siahkouhi, M., “Tire‐derived aggregate layer performance in railway bridges as a novel impact absorber: Numerical and field study”, Struct. Control Heal. Monit., 26(10), p. e2444 (2019).
30.      Esmaeili, M., Ataei, S., and Siahkouhi, M., “A case study of dynamic behaviour of short span concrete slab bridge reinforced by tire-derived aggregates as sub-ballast”, Int. J. Rail Transp., 8(1), pp. 80–98 (2020).
31.      Wang, G. W., “Properties and utilization of steel slag in engineering applications. Wollongong”, Ph. D. Thesis, University of Wollongong (1992).
32.      Jing, G. and Aela, P., “Review of the lateral resistance of ballasted tracks”, Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part F J. Rail Rapid Transit, 234(8), pp. 807–820 (2020).
33.      Tietak, “Composite sleeper”, http://www.tietek.net./.
34.      Axion-EcoTrax, “ECOTRAX® Axion Composite sleeper mechanical properties”, %3Cwww.axionintl.com%3E.
35.      KLP,Lankhorst Rail and Netherlands, “KLP® Hybrid Polymer Sleepers - corporate brochure”,  %3Cwww.lankhorstrail.com%3E.
36.      STANDARD, I., “Plastics — Plastic railway sleepers for railway applications (railroad ties)”, ISO 12856- (2014).
37.      Lampo, R., Nosker, T., and Sullivan, H., “Development, testing and applications of recycled plastic composite cross ties”, US Army Eng. R&D Cent. (2003).
38.      Jimenez, R., Vertical Track Modulus in Plastic Composite Tie Test Zones at FAST (2003).
39.      Reiff, R. and Trevizo, C., Cracking and Impact Performance Characteristics of Plastic Composite Ties., United States. Federal Railroad Administration (2012).
40.      Vijay, P. V, Hota, G. V. S., Bethi, A., Chada, V., and Qureshi, M. A. M., “Development and Implementation of Recycled Thermoplastic RR Ties”, Jt. Rail Conf., pp. 209–218 (2010).
41.      Lotfy, I. and Issa, M. A., “Evaluation of the longitudinal restraint, uplift resistance, and long-term performance of high-density polyethylene crosstie rail support system using static and cyclic loading”, Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part F J. Rail Rapid Transit, 231(8), pp. 835–849 (2017).
42.      Moulding, L., “Sustainable plastic sleeper”, https://www.lankhorst-mouldings.com/.
43.      Murray, M. H. and Bian, J., “Ultimate limit states design of concrete railway sleepers”, Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng., Thomas Telford Ltd, pp. 215–223 (2012).
44.      Arema, L. M. D., “American railway engineering and maintenance-of-way association”, Man. Railw. Eng., 2, pp. 55–57 (2013).
45.      “Static load crack resistance test method for prestressed concrete sleepers (TB/T 1879-2002)”, Minist. Railw., (Q72) (n.d.).
46.      Anurag, S., “Problems in maintenance of Indian railway in deserts and possible solutions”, UIC Work. Desert Railw., pp. 67–82 (2008).
47.      Luuk van der Drift, V. M., “3- and 4-point bending test of a plastic sleeper”,  (2018).
48.      Pim Koch, V. M., “Frequency and vibration properties of plastic sleeper”,  (2018).
49.      Lam, H. F. and Wong, M. T., “Railway ballast diagnose through impact hammer test”, Procedia Eng., 14, pp. 185–194 (2011).
50.      Kaewunruen, S. and Remennikov, A. M., “Impact capacity of railway prestressed concrete sleepers”, Eng. Fail. Anal., 16(5), pp. 1520–1532 (2009).
51.      Kaewunruen, S. and Remennikov, A. M., “Progressive failure of prestressed concrete sleepers under multiple high-intensity impact loads”, Eng. Struct., 31(10), pp. 2460–2473 (2009).
52.      Brandt, A., Noise and Vibration Analysis: Signal Analysis and Experimental Procedures, John Wiley & Sons (2011).
53.      An, B., Gao, L., Xin, T., Xiang, G., and Wang, J., “A Novel Approach of Identifying Railway Track Rail’s Modal Frequency From Wheel-Rail Excitation and Its Application in High-Speed Railway Monitoring”, IEEE Access, 7, pp. 180986–180997 (2019).
54.      ASTM, C., “ASTM Standards”, American Society for Testing Materials Philadelphia (1958).
Scientia Iranica
Volume 28, Issue 5
Transactions on Civil Engineering (A)
September and October 2021
Pages 2568-2581

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics