EP1905896B1 - Railway sleeper - Google Patents

Abstract

The sleeper (8) has a rigid concrete block (9) with a lower surface, and an upper face to receive a longitudinal rail (4), where the block has a weight ranging between 400 and 450 kilograms. A shoe (20) receives the rigid block, and is formed of a rigid shell comprising a peripheral edge (50) bordering a base of the shell. A resilient tie plate (22) is arranged between the lower surface of the block and the base of the shoe. The tie plate has a dynamic stiffness ranging from 6-8 kilo-newtons per millimeter.

Description

• un bloc rigide présentant une face inférieure, et une face supérieure destinée à recevoir au moins un rail longitudinal,
• un chausson destiné à recevoir le bloc rigide et formé d'une coque rigide comportant un fond et un rebord périphérique bordant ce fond,
• une semelle résiliente disposée entre la face inférieure du bloc rigide et le fond du chausson.

The present invention relates to a railroad tie, of the type comprising:

• a rigid block having a lower face, and an upper face intended to receive at least one longitudinal rail,
• a liner for receiving the rigid block and formed of a rigid shell having a bottom and a peripheral rim bordering the bottom,
• a resilient sole disposed between the underside of the rigid block and the bottom of the liner.

Such sleepers are frequently used to perform the laying of a railway without ballast, for example in or on a work such as a tunnel or viaduct, providing support for crosses a raft or slab.

EP-A-0 919 666 describes a cross of this type. The rigid liner is embedded in a concrete slab, with which it forms a rigid assembly.

Each rail generally rests on a resilient support member disposed between each rail and the rigid block. The resilient support elements thus form a first elastic stage. They can be mounted at the time of laying the track, or previously, for example at the time of assembly of the cross.

The resilient sole disposed between the block and the rigid boot forms a second elastic floor.

The vibrations generated by the rails when the trains pass are essentially damped at the level of the first and second elastic stages.

However, the attenuation of the mechanical vibrations at the passage of the train of this track system as it is known today, is not entirely satisfactory. In fact, the cutoff frequency and the insertion gain are greater than those of, for example, a track system on floating slabs.

The aim of the invention is to improve the vibration damping performance of the aforementioned crossbar, in particular in a frequency range up to 250 Hz, which is considered as being able to generate nuisances in the surrounding buildings, while limiting the fatigue and stresses to the track system.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a cross member of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the resilient sole has a dynamic stiffness k2 between 6kN / mm and 10kN / mm, preferably between 6kN / mm and 8kN / mm.

• la semelle résiliente comporte une face supérieure sensiblement plane et une face inférieure sensiblement plane ;
• le bloc comprend quatre faces périphériques qui raccordent la face supérieure à la face inférieure, la traverse comprenant des segments résilients disposés entre chaque face périphérique du bloc et le rebord périphérique du chausson ;
• les segments résilients comprennent au moins deux segments résilients longitudinaux dont la raideur dynamique est comprise entre 20kN/mm et 25kN/mm, et au moins deux segments résilients transversaux dont la raideur dynamique est comprise entre 15kN/mm et 18kN/mm ;
• ladite traverse comprend, sur la face supérieure du bloc rigide, un élément d'appui résilient dont la raideur dynamique est comprise entre 120kN/mm et 300kN/mm, de préférence entre 200kN/mm et 300kN/mm, l'élément d'appui résilient étant prévu pour recevoir le rail en appui ;
• la traverse comporte un unique bloc et un unique chausson;
• le bloc a une masse comprise entre 350 kg et 450kg, de préférence entre 400kg et 450kg ;
• la traverse comprend deux blocs, deux chaussons respectivement associés et une entretoise transversale reliant les deux blocs ; et
• chaque bloc a une masse comprise entre 100kg et 150kg, de préférence entre 130kg et 150kg.

According to other features of the invention:

• the resilient sole comprises a substantially flat upper face and a substantially flat bottom face;
• the block comprises four peripheral faces which connect the upper face to the lower face, the cross member comprising resilient segments disposed between each peripheral face of the block and the peripheral rim of the liner;
• the resilient segments comprise at least two longitudinal resilient segments whose dynamic stiffness is between 20kN / mm and 25kN / mm, and at least two transverse resilient segments whose dynamic stiffness is between 15kN / mm and 18kN / mm;
• said crosspiece comprises, on the upper face of the rigid block, a resilient bearing element whose dynamic stiffness is between 120kN / mm and 300kN / mm, preferably between 200kN / mm and 300kN / mm, the support element resilient being provided to receive the rail in support;
• the cross comprises a single block and a single shoe;
• the block has a mass of between 350 kg and 450 kg, preferably between 400 kg and 450 kg;
• the crossbar comprises two blocks, two slippers respectively associated and a transverse spacer connecting the two blocks; and
• each block has a mass of between 100kg and 150kg, preferably between 130kg and 150kg.

The invention also relates to a section of railway characterized in that it comprises a cross member as described above and at least one rail resting on the cross.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un tronçon de voie ferrée selon un premier mode de réalisation;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique plus détaillée en coupe transversale de la traverse de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale de la traverse des figures 1 et 2;
• la figure 4 est un schéma modélisant le tronçon de voie ferrée de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 est un graphique illustrant les performances acoustiques d'une traverse selon l'invention ; et
• la figure 6 est une vue analogue à la figure 1 d'un tronçon de voie ferrée selon un deuxième mode de réalisation.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given by way of example, and with reference to the drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a railway section according to a first embodiment;
• the figure 2 is a more detailed schematic view in cross-section of the cross section of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of the cross figures 1 and 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a diagram modeling the section of railway of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 is a graph illustrating the acoustic performance of a cross member according to the invention; and
• the figure 6 is a view similar to the figure 1 of a railway section according to a second embodiment.

A section of track 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated on the figure 1 . The section 2 comprises two longitudinal rails 4 fixed on a cross-member 8. The cross-member 8 comprises a single rigid concrete block 9 and two resilient support elements 10 placed between each rail 4 and the block 9.

By convention, the longitudinal rails 4 define a longitudinal reference.

The resilient support members 10 have a substantially parallelepipedal shape. In the example shown in figure 1 , their width is substantially equal to the width of the base of a rail 4, and their length is substantially equal to the width of the block 9.

The resilient support elements 10 are housed in a respective recess 12 of the block 9. The profile of each recess 12, in section transverse, is substantially rectangular. The width and the length of each recess 12 are, in the example illustrated in FIG. figure 1 substantially equal to the width and length of a resilient support member 10, respectively.

The resilient support elements 10 are for example glued to the cross member 8.

Each rail 4 is attached to the block 9 by means of rail fasteners (not shown) which prevent any transverse displacement of the rail relative to the block 9 and secure the rail 4 with the block 9 and with each resilient support element 10.

In what follows, given the frequency range considered (less than or equal to 250Hz), any dynamic stiffness is considered constant and substantially equal to 130% of the static stiffness.

The resilient support elements 10 form a first elastic stage 14 of vertical dynamic stiffness k1 as modeled on the figure 4 . Indeed, each rail 4 is modeled as being in suspension on a first end of a spring 16 of dynamic stiffness k1. The second end of the spring 16 is linked to the block 9.

Each resilient support member 10 has a dynamic stiffness k1 of between 120kN / mm and 300kN / mm, preferably between 200kN / mm and 300kN / mm. The material used for each resilient support member 10 is, for example, rubber, polyurethane or any other resilient material.

The crossing 8 of the figure 1 , illustrated in detail on the figures 2 and 3 , includes a shoe 20 for receiving the block 9, a resilient soleplate 22 disposed in a substantially horizontal plane between the block 9 and the shoe 20, and four resilient segments 24, 26 disposed in a substantially vertical plane between the block 9 and the slipper 20.

The block 9 has a substantially parallelepipedal shape and essentially comprises an upper face 32, a lower face substantially plane 34 serving as a support, and four peripheral faces 36, 38 connecting the upper face 32 to the lower face 34 respectively via a rounded portion 44 and a bevel 46. The peripheral faces 36, 38 comprise two faces longitudinal peripherals 36 and two transverse peripheral faces 38.

The peripheral faces 36, 38 each comprise a substantially flat lower portion 36A, 38A, a substantially flat upper portion 36B, 38B, and a substantially flat intermediate portion 36C, 38C connecting each lower portion 36A, 38A to its respective upper portion 36B, 38B . The longitudinal upper portions 36B and the upper transverse portions 38B converge mutually upwardly. The lower longitudinal portions 36A and the lower transverse portions 38A mutually converge downwardly. The longitudinal intermediate portions 36C and the transverse intermediate portions 38C mutually converge downward at an angle relative to the vertical plane greater than each respective lower portion 36A, 38A.

Block 9 is chosen with a particularly large mass. Indeed, its mass is between 350kg and 450kg, preferably between 400kg and 450kg. The increase in the mass of the block 9 is conventionally obtained by adding metal elements in the concrete.

The liner 20 is formed of a substantially rigid shell. The liner 20 essentially comprises a bottom 48 and a continuous peripheral rim 50 along the bottom 48.

The bottom 48 has an upper face 52 substantially flat and rectangular.

The peripheral rim 50 of the liner 20 comprises four panels 54, 56. The four panels 54, 56 comprise two longitudinal panels 54 associated respectively with the longitudinal faces 36 of the block 9 and two transverse panels 56 associated respectively with the transverse faces 38. Each panel 54, 56 comprises a respective inner face 62, 64. Each inner face 62, 64 comprises a housing 66, 68 substantially parallelepipedic for receiving each of the resilient segments 24,26.

The housings 66, 68 are substantially parallel to the respective lower portions 36A, 38A of the peripheral faces 36, 38 of the block 9. Each housing 66, 68 has a rectangular periphery defined by a continuous peripheral shoulder 66A, 68A. Each housing 66, 68 also has substantially the same height and substantially the same length as the lower portion 36A, 38A with which it is associated.

Each inner face 62, 64 comprises an upper portion 62A, 64A flat and whose inclination relative to the vertical is substantially equal to or greater than the inclination of the respective intermediate portions 36C, 38C of the peripheral faces 36, 38 of the block 9. The upper parts 62A, 64A are substantially the same height as the respectively associated intermediate parts 36C, 38C of the block 9.

The upper portions 62A, 64A of the inner faces 62, 64 of the panels 54, 56 are connected to a continuous upper edge 70 of the flange 50. The upper edge 70 has, in the example illustrated in FIGS. secure a continuous seal 72. The seal 72 is for example natural or synthetic rubber. It creates a seal between the block 9 and the shoe 20 without affecting the movement of the block 9 in the shoe 20. It is also possible to produce the seal 72 by casting a material such as a silicone or a polyurethane in the form of a continuous bead.

The stiffness of the shoe 20 is reinforced by ribs 74 arranged in relief outside the panels 54, 56, and partly under the bottom 48. They are for example integral with the shoe 20. These ribs 74 can to present any appropriate shape and any appropriate arrangement with respect to the shoe 20, in a manner known in the state of the art, in particular by EP-A-0 919 666 . They present, in the example illustrated in figures 2 and 3 notches 76 for anchoring the boot 20 on an armature. The ribs 74 are, when laying the track, embedded at least partially in the concrete. They thus ensure the fastening of the shoe 20 with the filling concrete.

In the example shown in figures 2 and 3 , the shoe 20 is made in one piece, by molding. In a manner not illustrated, the liner 20 is made by assembling several partial shells as is known in the state of the art (for example EP-A-0 919 666 ). In the case of a monobloc cross member 8 according to the first embodiment of the invention, it may for example be two end half-shells and a central shell connecting the two end half-shells .

The shoe 20 is for example made of molded thermoplastic material or resin concrete.

The resilient soleplate 22 has a substantially parallelepiped shape and substantially planar upper and lower faces to minimize the mechanical stresses experienced by the resilient sole 22 and avoid fatigue problems. Its length and its width are substantially equal to the length and the width of the lower face 34 of the block 9, respectively.

Its thickness is between 10mm and 20mm, preferably between 16mm and 20mm. The resilient sole 22 thus remains in an elastic domain; which corresponds substantially to a maximum deformation rate of less than or equal to 40%. The rate of deformation is the rate of variation of the thickness of the resilient sole 22 between a free state and a state under load.

The resilient soleplate 22 forms a second elastic stage 78 of vertical dynamic stiffness k2 as modeled on the figure 4 . Indeed, the rigid block 9 is modeled as being in suspension on the first ends of two springs 80 of dynamic stiffness k2. The second ends of the springs 80 are connected to the boot 20.

The resilient soleplate 22 according to the invention has a dynamic stiffness k2 less than the dynamic stiffness of the devices conventionally used. Indeed, the dynamic stiffness k2 is between 6kN / mm and 10kN / mm, preferably between 6kN / mm and 8kN / mm.

The resilient soleplate 22 is for example made of a cellular elastomeric material.

In a preferred embodiment, the resilient soleplate 22 has a vertical dynamic stiffness k2 substantially uniform over its entire surface.

In another embodiment, the resilient soleplate 22 has, in a central zone of the block 9, a vertical dynamic stiffness k3 less than or equal to k2. The central zone comprises the middle of the block 9 and extends transversely from the middle of the block 9 towards the ends on substantially half of the surface of the block 9. Indeed, this central area being less stressed, it is possible to use it a more elastic material and therefore less expensive.

The resilient soleplate 22 can rest freely on the bottom 48 of the liner 20. It can thus easily be removed from the liner 20.

Advantageously, the crosspiece 8 also comprises a shim 82 of substantially incompressible thickness, as illustrated in FIGS. figures 2 and 3 .

The shim 82 has a substantially parallelepiped shape. Its length and width are substantially equal to the length and width of the upper face 52 of the bottom 48 of the liner 20. Its thickness is less than or equal to 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 4 mm.

The shim 82 rests freely on the bottom 48 of the liner 20. Thus, it can be easily removed from the shoe 20, or be added to the shoe 20, to adjust the leveling of the track.

Advantageously, the resilient soleplate 22 rests freely on the shim 82.

The surface of the shim 82 has a sufficiently high roughness to prevent the sliding of the resilient sole 22 in the slipper 20. The roughness is for example obtained by means of streaks, diamond tips or spikes.

Each resilient segment 24, 26 has an outer face 24A, 26A, an inner face 24B, 26B and four peripheral faces.

The outer faces 24A, 26A and inner 24B, 26B have substantially the same dimensions and have a substantially rectangular contour.

The external faces 24A, 26A and internal 24B, 26B have a length and a width substantially equal to the length and width respectively of the respective housings 66, 68 of the peripheral rim 50 of the liner 20.

The resilient segments 24, 26 are arranged in the respective housings 66, 68. They are for example maintained thanks to the friction between the peripheral faces of the resilient segments 24, 26 and the peripheral shoulder 66A, 68A of each housing 66, 68. Resilient segments 24, 26 can thus be easily removed.

The retention of each resilient segment 24, 26 can also be provided by mutual snapping. For example, the housings 66, 68 comprise grooves and the resilient segments 24, 26 comprise complementary grooves.

The resilient segments 24, 26 have a thickness greater than the depth of the recesses 66, 68 so as to protrude from the shoulders 66A, 68A.

The internal faces 24B, 26B are in simple support against the respective lower portions 36A, 38A of the peripheral faces 36, 38 of the rigid block 9.

As illustrated in figures 2 and 3 , the inner faces 24B, 26B are provided with grooves increasing their elasticity.

The resilient segments 24, 26 have a dynamic stiffness of between 12kN / mm and 25kN / mm. They are for example made of rubber, polyurethane or any other resilient material.

The longitudinal segments 24 corresponding to the longitudinal peripheral faces 36 are subjected to greater forces than the transverse segments 26 corresponding to the transverse peripheral faces 38. Also, the longitudinal segments 24 may advantageously be chosen with a dynamic stiffness greater than that of the transverse segments 26 Thus, the longitudinal segments 24 have for example a dynamic stiffness of between 20kN / mm and 25kN / mm, while the transverse segments 26 have a dynamic stiffness of between 15kN / mm and 18kN / mm.

Under normal operating conditions, the resilient segments 24, 26 hold the block 9 at a distance from the internal faces 62, 64 of the liner 20.

The resilient segments 24, 26 thus allow a horizontal damping of the block 9. This horizontal damping is decoupled from the vertical damping obtained thanks to the resilient support elements 10 and to the resilient soleplate 22.

It will be noted that the number of resilient segments is not limiting. The cross member 8 may for example comprise, on each side of the block 8, two transverse segments 34 one next to the other.

The figure 5 illustrates the acoustic performance of a cross member according to the invention and a known cross. The figure 5 represents an insertion gain as a function of frequency. The insertion gain is here the ratio expressed in dB between the value of a metric quantity (speed, acceleration, force, etc.) obtained with the introduction of a resilient sole and that obtained without it (see NF ISO 14837-1: 2005). In the example considered, it is the force exerted on the shoe 20. A reduction in value of the metric quantity will be expressed by a negative sign of the insertion gain.

In addition, the cutoff frequency is the frequency from which a decrease in the insertion gain is generally observed.

k1 dyn is the dynamic stiffness of the resilient support elements 10, k2dyn is the dynamic stiffness of the resilient soleplate 22, M is the mass of the block 9.

The curve illustrating the insertion gain as a function of the frequency for k2dyn = 21.3 MN / m, M = 200 kg, k1dyn = 150 MN / m constitutes a reference curve S1 illustrating the performance of the known device. A second curve - illustrates the performance of a cross member according to the invention of which k2dyn = 8MN / m, M = 400 kg and k1dyn = 270 MN / m.

Between 0 and 10 Hz, the vibration attenuation performance is substantially the same. Between 10 and 25 Hz, the insertion gain is a few dB higher than the S1 curve. Between 25 Hz and 250 Hz, the insertion gain is several dB lower than the S1 curve.

In addition, the cutoff frequency is lower compared to the S1 curve (20Hz instead of 32Hz).

Thus, between 25 Hz and 250 Hz, the performance of a cross member according to the invention is substantially better.

In a second embodiment illustrated in figure 6 , the cross member 108 comprises two rigid blocks 109 connected by a spacer 184. Insofar as the biblock cross member 108 has great similarities with the one-piece cross member 8, there is, at the figure 6 , the same references as Figures 1 to 4 , however incremented by 100.

The length of the slippers 120 is adapted to receive the blocks 109. It is the same for the transverse segments 126 and the resilient soles 122. The figures 2 and 3 , which illustrate a monobloc cross member 8, are also a perfect illustration of a cross member 108.

The main difference between the one-piece cross member 8 and the cross-piece 108 is the presence of a spacer 184 penetrating the two blocks 109.

The decrease in the dynamic stiffness K2 of the resilient soles 122 and / or the increase in the mass of the blocks 109 generate a significant longitudinal flexion moment.

Also, the spacer 184 has a shape adapted to obtain a high inertia. This is for example a shape square or cylinder. The spacer 184 has for example also a section between 800mm2 and 1500mm2 and a thickness of between 6mm and 10mm. It is for example made of steel according to EN 13230-3.

Each block 109 has a mass of between 100 kg and 150 kg, preferably between 130 kg and 150 kg.

It will be noted that the monobloc cross member 8 particularly easily supports the additional mechanical stresses resulting from the invention.

It will be understood that with a cross member according to the invention, the reduction of the dynamic stiffness k2 of the resilient soleplate 22, 122 makes it possible to obtain better performances of attenuation of the vibrations, in particular by lowering the cutoff frequency and lowering the insertion gain between 25Hz and 250HZ.

The increase in the mass of the block 9, 109 also makes it possible, for a dynamic stiffness k2 resilient sole 22, 122 given, to lower the cutoff frequency and thus improve the performance of the cross 8, 108 in the bass frequencies. However, above a certain mass, the mechanical stresses experienced by the crossbar 8, 108 become too great.

Increasing the dynamic stiffness k1 of the resilient support members 10, 110 lowers the insertion gain between 200Hz and 250Hz and moves the resonance frequency to higher frequencies, the resonant frequency being the frequency for which a rise in the insertion gain.

The invention thus makes it possible to approach the vibration attenuation performance obtained with a floating slab whose cutoff frequency is between 14 Hz and 20 Hz and whose insertion gain at -25 dB is at 63 Hz.

Claims (10)

1. Railway sleeper (8; 108) of the type comprising:

   - a rigid block (9; 109) having a lower face (34) and an upper face (32) designed to receive at least one longitudinal rail (4; 104);

   - a shoe (20; 120) designed to receive the rigid block (9; 109) and formed of a rigid shell comprising a base (48; 148) and a peripheral edge (50; 150) bordering this base (48; 148);

   - a resilient plate (22; 122) arranged between the lower face (34) of the rigid block (9; 109) and the base (48; 148) of the shoe (20; 120);

   characterised in that the resilient plate (22; 122) has a dynamic stiffness k2 of between 6kN/mm and 10kN/mm, preferably between 6kN/mm and 8kN/mm.
2. Sleeper (8; 108) according to claim 1, characterised in that the resilient plate (22; 122) comprises a substantially flat upper face and a substantially flat lower face.
3. Sleeper (8; 108) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the block (9; 109) comprises four peripheral faces (36, 38) which connect the upper face (32) to the lower face (34), the sleeper (8; 108) comprising resilient segments (24, 26; 124, 126) arranged between each peripheral face (36, 38) of the block (9; 109) and the peripheral edge (50; 150) of the shoe (20; 120).
4. Sleeper (8; 108) according to claim 3, characterised in that the resilient segments (24, 26; 124, 126) comprise at least two longitudinal resilient segments (24; 124) whose dynamic stiffness is between 20kN/mm and 25kN/mm, and at least two transverse resilient segments (26; 126) whose dynamic stiffness is between 15kN/mm and 18kN/mm.
5. Sleeper (8; 108) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises, on the upper face (32) of the rigid block (9; 109), a resilient supporting element (10; 110) whose dynamic stiffness is between 120kN/mm and 300kN/mm, preferably between 200kN/mm and 300kN/mm, the resilient supporting element (10; 110) being designed to receive and support the rail (4; 104).
6. Sleeper (8) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sleeper (8) comprises a single block (9) and a single shoe (20).
7. Sleeper (8) according to claim 6, characterised in that the block (9) has a mass of between 350kg and 450kg, preferably between 400kg and 450kg.
8. Sleeper (108) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the sleeper (108) comprises two blocks (109), two shoes (120) linked together and a transverse spacer (184) connecting the two blocks (109).
9. Sleeper (108) according to claim 8, characterised in that each block (109) has a mass of between 100kg and 150kg, preferably between 130kg and 150kg.
10. Section of railway (2; 102), characterised in that it comprises one sleeper (8; 108) according to any of the preceding claims and at least one rail (4; 104) supported by the sleeper (8; 108).

Images