The Importance of Wooden and Concrete Sleepers Below Railway Lines

Why are wooden and concrete sleepers kept below the railway line?

1. To maintain track alignment

2. To distribute load evenly

3. To handle thermal stress from temperature changes

Answer:

Wooden and concrete sleepers under railway lines help maintain track alignment and distribute load evenly. They're also designed to handle thermal stress from temperature changes, with steel reinforcement in concrete sleepers to match the latter's expansion rate.

Wooden and concrete sleepers are used below railway lines to maintain the alignment of the track and to evenly distribute the load from the track and the trains onto the subgrade beneath. Thermal stress is an important concept in this context: materials like concrete and steel used in the tracks and sleepers expand and contract with changing temperatures.

Thermal stress can cause warping, which could be dangerous for a railway network. To manage this, engineering design ensures that these materials can expand and contract freely. In the case of concrete sleepers, they are reinforced with steel because the coefficient of linear expansion of steel is roughly equal to that of concrete, reducing the risk of adverse effects from thermal stress.

Wooden and concrete sleepers play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and stability of railway tracks, ensuring smooth operation of train services. By understanding the significance of these sleepers, we appreciate the engineering expertise and meticulous design that goes into the infrastructure supporting our transportation systems.