Experimental and parametrical investigation of pre-stressed ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete railway sleepers

Abstract

In this study, ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) used in a type B70 concrete sleeper is investigated experimentally and parametrically. The main parameters investigated are the steel fiber volume fractions (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). Under European standards, 35 UHPFRC sleepers are subjected to static bending tests at the center and rail seat sections, and the screw on the fastening system is pulled out. The first cracking load, failure load, failure mode, crack propagation, load–deflection curve, load–crack width, and failure load from these tests are measured and compared with those of a control sleeper manufactured using normal concrete C50. The accuracy of the parametric study is verified experimentally. Subsequently, the results of the study are applied to UHPFRC sleepers with different concrete volumes to investigate the effects of the properties of UHPFRC on their performance. Experimental and parametric study results show that the behavior of UHPFRC sleepers improves significantly when the amount of steel fiber in the mix is increased. Sleepers manufactured using UHPFRC with a steel fiber volume fraction of 1% and a concrete volume less than 25% that of standard sleeper B70 can be used under the same loads and requirements, which contributes positively to the cost and surrounding environment.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

pre-stressed concrete sleeper / ultrahigh performance fiber-reinforced concrete / pull-out test / static bending test / steel fiber / aspect ratio / volume fraction

References

[1] Tolou Kian A R, Sadeghi J, Zakeri J A. Influences of railway ballast sand contamination on loading pattern of pre-stressed concrete sleeper. Construction & Building Materials, 2020, 233: 117324

[2] Berbey Alvarez A, Guevara-Cedevo J. Railway Engineering. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021, 371–395

[3] Sadeghi J, Barati P. Comparisons of the mechanical properties of timber, steel and concrete sleepers. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 2010, 8: 1151–1159

[4] Bae Y, Pyo S. Effect of steel fiber content on structural and electrical properties of ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) sleepers. Engineering Structures, 2020, 222: 111131

[5] Remennikov A M, Murray M H, Kaewunruen S. Conversion of AS1085. 14 for prestressed concrete sleepers to limit states design format. In: AusRAIL PLUS 2007 Conference & Exhibition. Sydney: Australian Railway Association (ARA), 2007, 1–18

[6] LutchR H. Capacity optimization of a prestressed concrete railroad tie. Thesis for the Master’s Degree. Houghton, MI: Michigan Technological University, 2009

[7] Sadeghi J M, Babaee A. Structural optimization of B70 railway prestressed concrete sleepers. Iranian Journal of Science & Technology, Transaction B, Engineering, 2006, 30(B4): 461–473

[8] Kaewunruen S, Remennikov A M. Progressive failure of prestressed concrete sleepers under multiple high-intensity impact loads. Engineering Structures, 2009, 31(10): 2460–2473

[9] Kaewunruen S, Remennikov A M. Dynamic crack propagations in prestressed concrete sleepers in railway track systems subjected to severe impact loads. Journal of Structural Engineering, 2010, 136(6): 749–754

[10] Vairagade V S, Kene K S, Patil T R. Comparative study of steel fiber reinforced over control concrete. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 2012, 2(5): 1–3

[11] Yazıcı Ş, Inan G, Tabak V. Effect of aspect ratio and volume fraction of steel fiber on the mechanical properties of SFRC. Construction & Building Materials, 2007, 21(6): 1250–1253

[12] Wu Z, Shi C, He W, Wu L. Effects of steel fiber content and shape on mechanical properties of ultra high performance concrete. Construction & Building Materials, 2016, 103: 8–14

[13] Beglarigale A, Yazici H. Pull-out behavior of steel fiber embedded in flowable RPC and ordinary mortar. Construction & Building Materials, 2015, 75: 255–265

[14] Mahakavi P, Chithra R. Impact resistance, microstructures and digital image processing on self-compacting concrete with hooked end and crimped steel fiber. Construction & Building Materials, 2019, 220: 651–666

[15] Abousnina R, Premasiri S, Anise V, Lokuge W, Vimonsatit V, Ferdous W, Alajarmeh O. Mechanical properties of macro polypropylene fibre-reinforced concrete. Polymers, 2021, 13(23): 1–25

[16] Yu P, Manalo A, Ferdous W, Abousnina R, Salih C, Heyer T, Schubel P. Investigation on the physical, mechanical and microstructural properties of epoxy polymer matrix with crumb rubber and short fibres for composite railway sleepers. Construction & Building Materials, 2021, 295: 123700

[17] Li L, Wang B, Hubler M H. Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) dispersed in ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC): Mechanical property, workability and permeability investigation. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2022, 131: 104592

[18] Pyo S, Kim H K, Lee B Y. Effects of coarser fine aggregate on tensile properties of ultra high performance concrete. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2017, 84: 28–35

[19] SchmidtMFehlingEGeisenhanslükeC. Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC): Proceedings of the International Symposium on Ultra High Performance Concrete. Kassel: Kassel University Press, 2004

[20] ACI239R-18. Ultra-High-Performance Concrete: An Emerging Technology Report. Farmington Hills, MI: American Concrete Institute, 2018

[21] Safdar M, Matsumoto T, Kakuma K. Flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams repaired with ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Composite Structures, 2016, 157: 448–460

[22] Yoo D Y, Jang Y S, Chun B, Kim S. Chelate effect on fiber surface morphology and its benefits on pullout and tensile behaviors of ultra-high-performance concrete. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2021, 115: 103864

[23] Lam N N, Van Hung L. Mechanical and shrinkage behavior of basalt fiber reinforced ultra-high-performance concrete. GEOMATE Journal, 2021, 20(78): 28–35

[24] Bae Y, Pyo S. Ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) sleeper: Structural design and performance. Engineering Structures, 2020, 210: 110374

[25] EN13230-6. Railway Applications-Track-Concrete Sleepers and Bearers—Part 6: Design. Brussles: European Committee for Standardization (CEN), 2014

[26] EN13230-2. Railway Applications-Track-Concrete Sleepers and Bearers—Part 2: Prestressed Monoblock Sleepers. Brussles: European Committee for Standardization (CEN), 2009

[27] EN13481-2. Railway applications-Track-Performance Requirements for Fastening Systems—Part 2: Fastening Systems for Concrete Sleepers. Brussles: European Committee for Standardization (CEN), 2014

[28] EN10138-2. Prestressing Steels—Part 2: Wire Armatures. Brussles: European Committee for Standardization (CEN), 2000

[29] Yu R, Spiesz P, Brouwers H J H. Mix design and properties assessment of ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Cement and Concrete Research, 2014, 56: 29–39

[30] Pyo S, Wille K, El-Tawil S, Naaman A E. Strain rate dependent properties of ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHP-FRC) under tension. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2015, 56: 15–24

[31] Mo Z, Gao X, Su A. Mechanical performances and microstructures of metakaolin contained UHPC matrix under steam curing conditions. Construction & Building Materials, 2021, 268: 121112

[32] UIC 713R. Design of Monoblock Concrete Sleepers. Paris: International Union of Railways, 2004, 30

[33] Yang J M, Shin H O, Yoon Y S, Mitchell D. Benefits of blast furnace slag and steel fibers on the static and fatigue performance of prestressed concrete sleepers. Engineering Structures, 2017, 134: 317–333

[34] Yoo D Y, Lee J Y, Shin H O, Yang J M, Yoon Y S. Effects of blast furnace slag and steel fiber on the impact resistance of railway prestressed concrete sleepers. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2019, 99: 151–164

[35] ACI544.4R-88. Design Considerations for Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete. Farmington Hills, MI: American Concrete Institute, 1999

Acknowledgements

We thank the National Authority for Tunnels for allowing us to use the Siegwart factory to fabricate our specimens. The authors appreciate the support provided by members of the Housing and Building National Research Center, Egypt.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2023 Higher Education Press