Sleepers

Main function of Sleepers

Holding rails to correct gauge and
alignment.
Firm and even support to rails.
Transferring the load evenly from rails to
wider area of ballast.
Elastic medium between rails and ballast.
Providing longitudinal and lateral stability.
 Types of Sleepers
Wooden Sleepers

Cast Iron Sleepers

Steel Sleepers

Concrete Sleepers
 Classification of wooden sleepers

Untreated Sleeper U

Treated Sleeper T
 Advantages/Disadvantages of
wooden Sleepers
Advantages
i) Easy to manufacture and handling.
ii) Suitable for track circuited area.
iii) Can be used with or without ballast.
iv) Suitable for bridges, Points/Crossings.
v) Suitable for gaunteletted track.
vi) Alignment can be easily corrected.
 Contd.
Disadvantages:
i) Lesser life.
ii) Liable to damage by beater packing.
iii) Difficult to maintain the gauge.
iv) Susceptible to fire hazards.
 Composite Sleeper Index
To determine the suitability of a particular
timber for use as a sleeper.
C.S.I = S+10H / 20
S= Strength index @ 12 % moisture content
H=Hardness index @ 12 % moisture
content
Number of Screw/Spike per Rail seat

Joint sleepers, Bridge timbers turn out Four

sleepers

Intermediate sleepers on curves on Three

other than branch lines

Intermediate sleepers on curve on Two

branch lines and on straight
Canted Bearing plate
 Metal sleepers
Cast Iron Sleepers
Type of Cast Iron Sleepers:
C. I. Pot Sleepers
Plate Pot Sleepers
Box Sleepers
C S T- 9 Sleepers
Rail Free Duplex Sleeper
Steel sleepers
Key sleepers
Clip bolt sleepers
Saddle or spring sleeper
 Advantages of metal sleepers
Metal sleepers are uniform in strength and
durability.
Performance of fitting is better and lesser
creep occurs.
Life is longer and maintenance is easy.
Gauge can be easily adjusted and
maintained .
Frequent renewal is not required.
Good scrap value.
 Disadvantages of metal sleepers
More ballast are required in case of metal
sleepers
More number of fittings are required.
Liable to get corroded easily
Track circuiting is difficult,
Pot sleeper
CST-9 Sleeper
 Cast Iron Sleepers

Advantages of Cast Iron Sleepers:

i) Lesser corrosion.
ii) Easy handling due to light weight.
iii) Higher Scrap value.
 Contd.
Disadvantages of Cast Iron Sleepers:
i) Not suitable for high speed route.
ii) Difficult to maintain the Gauge.
iii) Lesser lateral stability.
iv) Not fit for track circuited area.
v) Not suitable for mechanical maintenance.
vi) Tie bars weakened by corrosion.
Usual defects in CST-9 Sleepers
Cracks at rail seats or fracture
Wear of lug and rail seat
Tie bars weakened by corrosion, broken or
damaged by falling of wagon parts.
Corrosion of tie bars inside the cast iron
plates.
ST Sleeper
 Steel trough Sleepers
Types of S.T. Sleepers
i) ST sleepers with Pressed up lugs.
ii) ST Sleepers with loose jaws.
iii) Bolt and clip type ST Sleepers.
iv) Saddle type
ST Sleeper with pressed up lug
ST Sleepers with loose jaws
 Contd.
Advantages of ST Sleepers:
i) Longer life
ii) Better Stability
iii) Lesser damage during handling /Transport
iv) Easy to maintain Gauge
v) Simple Manufacturing Process
vi) High Scrap value
 Contd.
Disadvantages of ST Sleepers:
i) Liable for corrosion.
ii) Not fit for track circuited area.
iii) Develops cracks at rail seat during
service.
iv) Can only be used for rails for which it is
manufactured.
Usual defects in ST Sleepers
Rusted and corroded metal
Cracks at rail seat or near the lugs
Elongation of holes
Inspection of sleepers- Over 20 years old
Precautions during maintenance
Reconditioning of sleeper
Concrete Sleepers & Fastenings
Types of concrete Sleepers:
i)Mono-block Prestressed Concrete
Sleepers.
a) PSC-12 for 52 Kg Rails
b) PSC-14 for 60 Kg Rails
ii) Two block reinforced concrete Sleepers.
 Contd.
Main features of PSC-12/PSC-14 Sleepers:
Length : 2750 mm
Weight : 267 Kg
Reinforcement : 18 number 3mm dia HTS
stands
Dist bet. Insert at rail seat :148mm/162 mm
Service Life : 50 to 60 years.
 Contd.
Advantages of concrete Sleepers:
i) Greater stability.
ii) Track geometry maintained for much.
longer duration hence economical.
iii) Best suited for machine maintenance.
iv) Suitable for Track circuiting area.
 Contd.
v) No chances of damage by fire/ corrosion
vi) No possibility of theft.
vii) No chances of gauge widening.
viii) 60 Kg Sleeper can be used for 52 Kg rail.
ix) Best performance on Guard rails , Level
Crossings, Check rail in curve.
 Contd.
Disadvantage :
i) Handling and laying is difficult being
heavy.
ii) Damage is very heavy in case of
derailment.
iii) No scrap value.
iv) Not suitable for manual packing.
 Sleeper density
The sleeper density is the number of
sleepers used per rail length.
Described as M+1, M+2, M+3 etc. Where
M is the length of standard rail in meters.
Sleeper density depends
Axle load and speed
Type and section of the rail
Type of ballast
Nature of foundation
Bearing area of sleeper on the ballast
THANKS