Evaluation of the longitudinal restraint,uplift resistance,and long-term performance of high-density polyethylene crosstie rail support system using static and cyclic loading

Abstract

Rail track longevity is a primary concern for the railroad industry in the US. Therefore, it is important to study the rail support system in detail. This includes understanding the interactions between the rail, the different fastening components, and the crosstie. Then evaluate the support system’s long-term performance. Over the past several years, the railroad industry in the US has been leaning toward implementing alternative solutions to the traditional hardwood timber crossties. Recycled plastic composite crossties present an appealing and effective solution due to their sustainably, environmental benefits, durability, and ease of installation. Several US manufacturers are currently offering commercial crosstie solutions using different recycled plastic composite materials. Thousands of composite plastic crossties are currently in service in a wide variety of railroad tracks. Researchers have investigated this material in the past; however, additional research is still needed to fully understand the rail support system and its long-term behavior. This paper presents an experimental investigation aiming to understand and assess the performance of the full rail support system: the rail section, fastening assembly, and recycled high-density polyethylene crossties. The study encompassed a comprehensive experimental investigation using static and cyclic test methods recommended by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association manual. The static tests addressed the performance of the rail support system when subjected to uplift forces and longitudinal loading in the direction of the rail track, e.g. breaking and traction forces. The dynamic test evaluated the long-term behavior of the rail support system while being subjected to repeated loading for three million fatigue cycles. The outcomes of this study showed great results; the crossties survived the fatigue loading with normal wear and minimal degradation, which highlights the potential of these materials if properly optimized and engineered.

Keywords

Railroad crossties high-density polyethylene fatigue testing experimental testing finite element modeling

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Thierfelder

Sandstrom

. The creosote content of used railway crossties as compared with European stipulations for hazardous waste. Sci Total Environ 2008; 402: 106–112.

Zagier AS. Creosote: ‘Witch’s Brew’. http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/2004/Creosote-Illness-Death24may04.htm (accessed 24 May 2014).

Morris T. Poisonous railway sleepers pose health risk. http://lists.greens.org.au/mailman/public/media/2008-October/010679.html (October 2008, accessed 28 May 2014).

Pruszinski A. Review of the landfill disposal risks and the potential for recovery and recycling of preservative treated timber. Environmental Protection Agency Report. South Australia: Sinclair Knight Merz, 1999.

Coffin

. Coalition sues EPA to ban toxic wood preservatives. Risk Mngmnt 2003; 50: 2–2.

Schunt JH. They’ve been working on the railroad. April 2004. Plastic Technology (Online magazine), www.ptonline.com (accessed 26 May 2014).

Goldgaber A. Plastic railroad ties: growing market for alternative materials, www.SmallcapInsights.com (2009, accessed 5 May 2014).

Weart W. With a weak economy at the forefront and railroad spending cuts on the horizon, crosstie demand will be restrained for the rest of ‘09, then drop in ‘10. Progressive Railroading (Online magazine), http://www.progressiverailroading.com/ (accessed 10 June 2014).

Jackson LM and Nosker TJ. Technology, applicability, and the future of thermoplastic lumber. In: The DoD corrosion conference, Gaylord National, Washington, DC, USA, 10–14 August 2009.

10.

Manalo

Aravinthan

Karunasena

et al.

A review of alternative materials for replacing existing timber sleepers. Compos Struct 2010; 92: 603–611.

11.

Jimenez R. Vertical track modulus in plastic composite ties test zones at FAST. Report no. DOT/FRA/ORD-03/13, 2003. Pueblo, CO: Transportation Technology Center, Inc.

12.

Lampo RG, Nosker TJ and Sullivan HW. Development, testing, and applications of recycled plastic composite cross ties. In: World Congress on Railway Research, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, 28 September–1 October 2003.

13.

Roybal S. Composite crosstie test cyclic load. Report no. P-09-003, 2009. Pueblo, CO: Transportation Technology Center, Inc.

14.

Reiff R and Trevizo C. Cracking and impact performance characteristics of plastic composite ties. Report no. DOT/FRA/ORD-12/03, 2012. Pueblo, CO: Transportation Technology Center, Inc.

15.

American Railway and Maintenance-of-Way Association. Evaluative tests for tie systems. In: AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering, 2011, Volume 1, Chapter 30, pp.30-2-1–30-2-20. Lanham, MD.

16.

Lotfy

Farhat

Issa

et al.

Flexural behavior of high-density polyethylene railroad crossties. J Rail Rapid Transit 2016; 230(3): 813–824.

17.

Lotfy

Farhat

Issa

. Temperature effect on the performance of glass fiber reinforced high density polyethylene composite railroad crossties. J Rail Rapid Transit 2016; 230(4): 1145–1157.

18.

Lotfy

Farhat

Issa

. Effect of pre-drilling, loading rate and temperature variation on the behavior of railroad spikes used for high density polyethylene crossties. J Rail Rapid Transit. 2017; 231(1): 44–56.