Polymer composite ties: Improving performance through research and test

摘要

The service life of a conventional wood crosstie can be significantly shortened by humid environments that can contribute to rot and decay. Ongoing research by Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), is exploring engineered polymer composite (EPC) tie and fastener systems as an alternative for conventional wood ties. In humid, wet areas, traditional ties may remain serviceable for less than 10 years before replacement is necessary. This is often due to plate cutting, spike kill and the loss of gauge strength exacerbated by natural decay resulting in a loss of tie and fastener performance in transferring applied loads and maintaining track geometry. These types of environments present an opportunity for alternative tie designs that may offer a longer life cycle with similar performance. The railroad industry seeks to further the development of EPC ties to improve their performance and recommended design considerations in the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Manual for Railway Engineering.1 The results of this research are being provided to AREMA to help guide the development of EPC tie best practices. This work is part of an ongoing American Association of Railroads (AAR) Strategic Research Initiative and Federal Rrailroad Administration (FRA) collaborative research project to improve design and test guidelines for EPC ties.