EP3460124B1 - Sleeper with rigid shell for railway track - Google Patents

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the field of railway sleepers, monobloc or bi-block, to be cast in concrete.
In particular, the invention relates to sleepers with a rigid shell.

STATE OF THE ART

Such sleepers with rigid shells are known and have been described in detail in the documents. EP0919666 and FR2906269 .

The use of a watertight rigid shell arranged around the concrete block made it possible to improve the use of sleepers with waterproof elastic slippers which allowed a simplified replacement of the sleeper without having to fracture the surrounding concrete. The document FR 2 840 330 describes, for example, a railway sleeper comprising a rigid concrete block as well as a sealed shell enveloping the underside of the block.

However, although the rigid shell does not tear during handling (transport, storage, installation), unlike elastic slippers, it can fracture or crack, which causes it to lose its waterproofness and its functions of maintaining the concrete block.

In addition, these shells are not practical for installing the seal which must come to prevent the intrusion of foreign element between the shell and the block. There is thus a need to improve the existing rigid shell sleepers.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention relates to a railway sleeper, comprising at least one block, in particular made of concrete, having
a lower face intended to rest on a support,
an upper face intended to receive at least one longitudina rail, and
four peripheral faces which connect the upper face to the lower face and each of which has a substantially planar lower part, at the rate of two longitudinal peripheral faces whose lower parts mutually converge downwards and two transverse peripheral faces whose lower parts mutually converge down,
the crosspiece comprising
a rigid waterproof shell enveloping the lower face and the lower parts of the peripheral faces of the unit,
force transmission means configured to transmit and diffuse the forces generated by the passage of a train, positioned between the rigid hull and the block;
in which the block, the shell, and the force transmission means defining an unoccupied volume between the shell and the block,
the cross member being characterized in that it further comprises a filling device arranged in the unoccupied volume, so that the filling device at least partially fills said unoccupied volume. The filling device can thus be between the rigid sealed shell and the lower part of one of the peripheral faces, and / or between the rigid sealed shell and the lower face of the block.

Thanks to this, the cross member can overcome two existing difficulties: the fragility of the hull and the installation of the seal. Indeed, thanks to the presence of the filling device, on the one hand, the handling forces are better distributed and no longer exert too much deformation on the hull and on the other hand, the filling device can serve as a joint base. , as explained below.

In a preferred embodiment, the filling device defines an upper rim extending along the periphery of the block, said upper rim being located inside the rigid shell. The device then serves as a joint base. This embodiment is achieved by means of the filling device arranged between the rigid sealed shell and the lower part of one of the peripheral faces.

The crossmember can then further comprise a seal configured to ensure the seal between the block and the shell, said seal resting on the upper rim of the filling device, which thus acts as a seal base.

In a preferred embodiment, the filling device is made of shock-absorbing material such as foam or polystyrene.

The material of the filling device has physical properties such that it is transparent with regard to the transmission and damping of vibrations generated by the passage of a train or has plastic properties such that the filling device is deformed. definitively as soon as the first train passes.

• le dispositif de comblement comprend un élément d'extrémité qui vient en prise avec la partie inférieure de la face périphérique longitudinale et avec la face inférieure du bloc,
• l'élément d'extrémité comprend des pattes qui s'étendent le long de la partie inférieure de la face périphérique transversale, de sorte que l'élément d'extrémité viennent entourer l'extrémité du bloc.
• les moyens de transmission des efforts comprennent un segment latéral disposés entre la partie inférieure de la face périphérique longitudinale et la coque, et dans lequel l'élément d'extrémité comprend une ouverture traversante pour le passage dudit segment,

• le dispositif de comblement comprend un élément central qui vient en prise avec la partie inférieure de la face périphérique transversale et avec la face inférieure du bloc,
• l'élément central entoure le bloc au niveau des parties inférieures des deux faces périphériques transversales et de la face inférieure,
• les moyens de transmission des efforts comprennent un segment disposés entre la partie inférieure de la face périphérique transversale et la coque, l'élément central comprend deux encoches, en regard de la partie inférieure de la face périphérique transversale pour permettre la mise en place de segments.

In a particular embodiment, the cross member comprises the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination:

• the filling device comprises an end element which engages with the lower part of the longitudinal peripheral face and with the lower face of the block,
• the end element comprises tabs which extend along the lower part of the transverse peripheral face, so that the end element surrounds the end of the block.
• the force transmission means comprise a lateral segment arranged between the lower part of the longitudinal peripheral face and the shell, and in which the end element comprises a through opening for the passage of said segment,

• the filling device comprises a central element which engages with the lower part of the transverse peripheral face and with the lower face of the block,
• the central element surrounds the block at the level of the lower parts of the two transverse peripheral faces and of the lower face,
• the force transmission means comprise a segment arranged between the lower part of the transverse peripheral face and the shell, the central element comprises two notches, facing the lower part of the transverse peripheral face to allow the positioning of segments .

In one embodiment, the rigid shell locally comprises, in particular at the level of the segments, a flared upper rim and the upper rim of the filling device locally has an enlargement which abuts on the upper rim of the rigid shell.

In one embodiment, the block comprises a rail attachment zone on the upper face and the force transmission means further comprise a resilient sole in contact with the lower face of the block, the resilient sole being disposed opposite the rail attachment area.

In one embodiment, the resilient sole with regard to the underside, the resilient sole and the filling device are placed side by side, without stacking.

The invention can be applied to a monobloc cross member, in which the filling device comprises two end elements for each end of the monobloc cross member and a central element located between the two end elements.

The invention can be applied to a bi-block cross member in which the filling device comprises two end elements for each of two blocks.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention relates to a filling device disposed in the volume, and which defines an upper rim extending over the entire periphery of the block, said upper rim being located inside the rigid shell. Preferably, this filling device then occupies a maximum of unoccupied volume, in particular by being positioned between the sealed rigid shell and the lower part of one of the peripheral faces, and / or between the sealed rigid shell and the lower face of the block.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a filling device arranged in the volume, being positioned between the sealed rigid shell and the lower part of one of the peripheral faces and between the sealed rigid shell and the lower face of the block, in order to to maximize the unoccupied volume. Preferably, this device then defines an upper rim extending over the entire periphery of the block, said upper rim being located inside the rigid shell.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

• La figure 1 illustrent une vue éclatée d'une traverse monobloc comprenant un dispositif absorbeur de choc selon une mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• La figure 2 illustre une vue en coupe dans un plan longitudinal, au niveau des moyens de transmission des efforts,
• La figure 3 illustre une vue en coupe dans un plan longitudinal entre les deux rails.

Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

• The figure 1 illustrate an exploded view of a monobloc cross member comprising a shock absorber device according to one embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 2 illustrates a sectional view in a longitudinal plane, at the level of the force transmission means,
• The figure 3 illustrates a sectional view in a longitudinal plane between the two rails.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description will be made in the light of a monobloc cross member 1 as illustrated on the figure 1 .

The invention applies in a similar way to a split cross member, formed of two blocks or "blocks" of reinforced concrete, mutually connected by a rigid, rectilinear spacer, and for example constituted by a metal angle partially embedded in the one and the other of the blocks.

Each of the blocks is intended to carry a respective rail 2 of the railway track, in a manner that is not detailed but known. By convention, the rails 2 define a longitudinal reference.

If we refer to the position of use of the cross member 1, which will serve as a reference for the whole of this description, each block 10 is delimited downwards by a lower face 11 planar to within manufacturing tolerances, which lower face 11 is intended to rest indirectly on a support constituted for example by the upper face of a raft or a slab. Each block 10 is delimited upwards by an upper face 12 serving as a support, which comprises an attachment zone 16 for rail 2, in this case two zones 16 for the monobloc cross member.
Each block 10 comprises four peripheral faces 13, 14 (only two are visible in the figures) connecting the upper face 12 to the lower face 11 by means of a rounding and / or a bevel, respectively. The peripheral faces 13, 14 comprise two longitudinal peripheral faces 14 and two peripheral faces transverse 13. The peripheral faces 13, 14 each comprise a substantially planar lower part 13a, 14a, a substantially planar upper part. The longitudinal upper parts and the transverse upper parts mutually converge upwards. The longitudinal lower parts 14a and the transverse lower parts 13a mutually converge downwards.

Cross member 1 of the figure 1 further comprises a rigid waterproof shell 20 intended to receive the block 10 and means for transmitting the forces 50, 60.

The waterproof rigid shell 20 is known and will not be detailed beyond measure. It is a semi-open shell with an open face, comprising a bottom 21 and transverse 23 and longitudinal 24 peripheral side walls.
The rigid shell 20 envelops the lower face 11 and the lower parts 13a, 14a of the peripheral faces 13, 14 of the block 10. By enveloping, we mean that it is around and not that there is necessarily a contact in all. point. The bottom 21 and the walls 23, 24 all have generally rectangular shapes.

The force transmission means 50, 60 are for their part arranged between the block 10 and the rigid sealed shell 20, being in contact with the two (except for functional play for certain elements to allow the block 10 to be inserted into the shell 20). Their function is to transmit and diffuse the vertical and horizontal forces generated by the passage of a train, these vibrations being able to wear out and damage the railway track. These devices can also play a vibration attenuation role by creating a mass-spring system.
These means of transmitting forces 50, 60 are known (see for example the two documents cited in the introduction). An unoccupied volume is defined, which corresponds to the empty volume between the shell 20 and the block 10, from which the force transmission means 50 are subtracted, 60. In other words, this is the actual space between the shell 20 and the block 10 with the force transmission means 50, 60, this space being generated in particular by the presence of the force transmission means. 50, 60 which impose a distance between the block 10 and the shell 20.

Said means 50, 60 may comprise a sole 50, arranged under the lower face 11 of the block 10 and in particular opposite the attachment zones 16, since the forces are essentially transmitted at this level. The sole 50 generally extends over the entire width of the lower face 11, or over almost the entire width (to within approximately 1 cm). This sole 50 is known and will not be detailed.

Said means 50, 60 may comprise segments 60, also called lateral sectors because they are generally arranged on the lower parts 13a, 14a of the peripheral faces 13, 14 of the block 10. There is generally a segment 60 on each longitudinal peripheral face 14. and two segments on each transverse peripheral face 13. The segment 60 of the longitudinal peripheral face 14 can almost be the width of said face 14.

The force transmission means 50, 60 are made of a resilient material suitable for diffusing the loads of a train (see for example the document FR2906269 cited in introduction).

Due to the presence of these force transmission means 50, 60 which are located between the shell 20 and the block 10, there is one or more unoccupied volumes between the shell 20 and the block 10.

The Applicant has noticed that this volume generates two difficulties: the first is linked to the fragility of the shell 20 during handling (transport, storage and installation), and the second is linked to the installation of a seal. seal 40 between the block 10 and the shell 20, at the level of the open face of the shell 20. In fact, the unoccupied volume allows the deformation of the shell 20 which can then break if the latter resumes an impact, and this unoccupied volume is not convenient for fitting the seal 40 .

To overcome the first difficulty, the cross member 1 comprises a filling device 30 located in the aforementioned unoccupied volumes, aimed at at least partially filling them. In particular, the filling device 30 is located between the shell 20 and the side faces 13, 14, or between the shell 20 and the lower face 11 and preferably both at the same time.
Consequently, along a peripheral face 13, 14, or along the lower face 11, there will be, between the shell 20 and the block 10, means for transmitting forces 50, 60 and the filling device 30. side by side, without overlap.

Thus, the filling device 30 thus makes it possible to avoid the presence of an empty volume which weakens the hull 20 during the handling of the cross member 1. By carrying out load-absorbing work, it is for example possible to transport the cross member. with forks which are not located opposite the soles 50. When the filling device 30 aims to avoid breaking the shell 20, it is preferable that it fills the maximum of unoccupied volume.

Complementarily or alternatively, to overcome the second difficulty and facilitate the installation of the seal 40, the filling device 30 comprises a rim 32 which extends over the entire periphery of the block 10 (or almost the entire periphery: it is understood that the more the rim is continuous and follows the periphery, the more the installation of the gasket will be simplified) on which the gasket 40 rests (see figures 2 and 3 ). This rim 32 therefore runs along the peripheral faces 13, 14 of the block 10 (without necessarily being in contact with, even if contact is advantageous to facilitate the fitting of the seal 40). This ledge 32 does not arrive at the level of the open face of the shell 20, but is slightly set back, of the order of one or a few centimeters. When the filling device 30 aims to allow the installation of the seal, it is not necessary for it to fill a maximum of unoccupied volume. Therefore, it is not necessary that there be under the lower face 11 of the block 10.

Thus, there is a joint base on which the joint 40 can rest, which ensures efficient and reliable positioning. As the rim 32 does not reach level, the seal 40 also bears on the lateral faces 23, 24 of the shell 20.
The shell 20 may locally comprise a flared peripheral rim 22 (in particular at the level of the lateral sectors 60). In this case, the rim 32 of the filling device 30 locally has an enlargement 34, so that it can bear on the flared peripheral rim 22 of the shell 20 (see figure 2 ).

When the seal 40 is installed, the cross member 1 is sealed and no foreign element can enter the shell 20.

The filler 30 is typically made of foam or polystyrene. The sole purpose of the filling device 30 is to facilitate the handling of the cross member and the fitting of the cross member, in particular for the seal 40. The filling device 30, by its material, has no advantage (nor any disadvantage, it is that is, it does not act as a vibratory bridge) with respect to attenuation of vibrations generated by a train. In terms of physical characteristics, this translates into a resistance to elastic deformation which is much lower compared to the means of transmitting forces 50, 60 (for example foam) or by a resistance to plastic deformation which is much lower compared to the means of transmitting forces. 50, 60 (for which the plastic deformation threshold is normally never achieved). By significantly lower is meant negligible from a physical point of view.

In particular, after the passage of the first train, the block 10 will move vertically and laterally in the shell 20 and will crush the filling device 30, which by plastic deformation will be permanently deformed. Once the train has passed, the cross member substantially returns to its original position, due in particular to the resilience of the force transmission means 50, 60, so that the filling device 30 is no longer in contact with the block 10. .

Alternatively, if the filling device 30 is very elastic, it will compress and regain its shape. Due to its high elasticity, it is structurally transparent as regards the transmissions between the block 10 and the shell 20, that is to say in particular that it does not function as a vibration bridge.

Thanks to the foam or the polystyrene, the filling device 30 can thus absorb shocks and function as a shock absorbing device. It acts as a protection by taking blows and limiting the deformation of the hull.

Now, with reference to the figure 1 again, a particular embodiment of the structure of the filling device 30 will be described.

The filling device 30 comprises an end element 310 configured to engage with the lower part 14a of the longitudinal peripheral face 14 and with the lower face 11 of the block 10. This end element 310 is formed from a single one. room. It defines an end face 314, two side tabs 312 which extend from the end face 314 and a bottom face 313, which extends substantially perpendicularly to the end face 314 and to the side tabs 312. The end face is in view of the longitudinal side face 14 of the block 10; the side legs 312 are opposite, respectively, the two transverse faces 13 of the block 20; the bottom face 313 is opposite the lower face of the block 11, but not opposite the sole 50.
Preferably, the bottom face 313 comes as close as possible to the sole 50, without there being any superposition.
The end face 314 comprises a through opening 316 for a segment 60. Indeed, it is recalled here that the segment 60, which is a force transmission means, must be in contact with the block 10 and the rigid shell 20, in play. functional close. Consequently, the end part 310 fills almost all of the unoccupied volume at the level of the end of the block 10.
The side tabs 312 have a shape adapted to the segment 60 which are located on the transverse side faces 13a of the block 10. Thus, there is a notch 318 in the side tabs 312 to allow the passage of the segment 60.
The end face 314 and the side tabs 312 define part of the peripheral rim 32. This means that they are level.

The filling device 30 also comprises a central element 320 configured to engage with the lower face 11 and the transverse lateral faces 13 of the block 10. This central element 320 is formed in one piece or in two pieces to avoid handling. pieces that are too long. It defines a bottom wall 323 and two side walls 322 which extend from the bottom wall 323. The bottom wall 323 is opposite the underside of the block 11, but not opposite the sole 50; the two side walls 322 are opposite, respectively, the two transverse faces 13 of the block 20. Preferably, the bottom face 323 comes into contact with the sole 50, without there being any superposition. In particular, the bottom face 323 touches the two soles, on either side.

The side walls 322 have a shape adapted to the segments 60 which are located on the transverse side faces 13a of the block 10. Thus, notches 326 are observed to allow the passage of the segment 60. The side walls 322 define part of the peripheral rim 32. This means that they are level with the side legs 312. In particular, the side legs 312 and the side walls 322, due to their respective notches 318, 326 meet above the segment 60 which they span. This ensures the continuity of the flange 32.
In this embodiment and in the case of a one-piece cross member, at the level of the lower face 11 of the block 10, one observes successively in the transverse direction, and without superposition: a bottom face 313, a sole 50, a wall bottom 313, a sole 50 and a bottom face 313.
In this embodiment, at the level of the transverse lateral face 14 of the block 10, one observes successively in the transverse direction, and without superposition: a lateral tab 312, a segment 60 (depending on the height of the direction in which one observe the cross member), a side wall 322, a segment 60 (idem), a side tab 312.
It is thus seen that most of the unoccupied volume has indeed been filled with the filling device 30.
In addition, the filling device 30 clearly defines a peripheral rim 32 which is continuous and level, which easily allows the installation of the seal 40.

In the case of a bi-block cross member, as only one sole is provided, the filling device 30 can comprise only two end elements, which join together to form the peripheral rim 32.

The filling device 30 can be made with more different parts. On the other hand, it is important that it occupies the maximum of unoccupied volume possible and that it allows the realization of the rim 32. Finally, it must not come between on the one hand the means of transmission of the forces 50, 60 and on the other hand the block 10 or the shell 20 .

The cross member 1 is manufactured in the factory and then delivered with the shell 20. The cross member is then cast in concrete B according to known methods (see figures 2 and 3 ). The filling device 30 is not removed during installation. It is considered that, due to its specific properties, it has no influence on the reaction of the cross member in use.

Claims (14)

1. A railway sleeper (1), including at least one block (10) in particular made of concrete, having
   a lower face (11) intended to rest on a support, an upper face (12) intended to receive at least one longitudinal rail (2), and
   four peripheral faces (13, 14) which connect the upper face (12) to the lower face (11) and each of which includes a substantially planar lower portion (13a, 14a), at the rate of two longitudinal peripheral faces (14) whose lower portions converge mutually downwards and of two transverse peripheral faces (13) whose lower portions converge mutually downwards, the sleeper (1) comprising
   a sealed rigid shell (20) enclosing the lower face (11) and the lower portions (13a, 14a) of the peripheral faces (13, 14) of the block (10),
   load transmission means (50, 60) configured to transmit and spread the loads generated by the passage of a train, positioned between the rigid shell (20) and the block (10),
   wherein the block (10), the shell (20) and the load transmission means (50, 60) define an unoccupied volume between the shell (20) and the block (10),
   the sleeper (1) further comprising a filling device (30) disposed in the unoccupied volume, between
   the sealed rigid shell (20) and the lower portion (13a, 14a) of one of the peripheral faces (13, 14) of the block (10), and/or
   the sealed rigid shell (20) and the lower face (11) of the block (10),
   so that the filling device (30) at least partially fills said unoccupied volume,
   characterized in that the material of the filling device (30) has physical characteristics such as resistance to elastic deformation much lower than the resistance to elastic deformation of the load transmission means (50, 60) so that it is transparent with regard to the transmission and to the damping of vibrations generated by the passage of a train, or such as resistance to plastic deformation much lower than the resistance to plastic deformation of the load transmission means (50, 60) so that the filling device (30) deforms definitively as soon as the first train passes.
2. The sleeper (1) according to claim 1, wherein the filling device (30) is made of shock-absorbing material such as foam or polystyrene.
3. The sleeper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling device (30) defines an upper rim (32) extending along the periphery of the block (10), said upper rim (32) being located inside the rigid shell (20).
4. The sleeper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling device (30) comprises an end element (310) which engages the lower portion (14a) of the longitudinal peripheral face (14) and with the lower face (11) of the block (10).
5. The sleeper (1) according to claim 4, wherein the end element (310) comprises tabs (312) which extend along the lower portion (13a) of the transverse peripheral face (13), so that the end element (310) surrounds the end of the block (10).
6. The sleeper (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the load transmission means (50, 60) comprise a lateral segment (60) disposed between the lower portion (14a) of the longitudinal peripheral face (14) and the shell (20), and wherein the end element (310) comprises a through opening (316) for the passage of said segment (60) .
7. The sleeper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filling device (30) comprises a central element (320) which engages the lower portion (13a) of the transverse peripheral face (13) and with the lower face (11) of the block (10).
8. The sleeper (1) according to claim 7, wherein the central element (310) surrounds the block (10) at the lower portions (13a) of the two transverse peripheral faces (13) and of the lower face (11).
9. The sleeper (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the load transmission means (50, 60) comprise a segment (60) disposed between the lower portion (14a) of the transverse peripheral face (14) and the shell (20), the central element (310) comprises two notches (322), facing the lower portion (13a) of the transverse peripheral face (13) to allow placing segments.
10. The sleeper (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9 further comprising a seal (40) configured to ensure the sealing between the block (10) and the shell (20), said seal resting on the upper rim (32) of the filling device (30), which thus acts as a backing material.
11. The sleeper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the block (10) comprises an area for attaching (16) the rail (2) on the upper face (12) and wherein the load transmission means further comprise a resilient flange (50) in contact with the lower face (11) of the block (10), the resilient flange (50) being disposed facing the rail attachment area (16).
12. The sleeper (1) according to claim 11 wherein, with regard to the lower face (11), the resilient flange (50) and the filling device (30) are placed side by side, without stacking.
13. The sleeper according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claims 4 and 7, the sleeper being a one-piece sleeper, wherein the filling device (30) comprises two end elements (310) for each end of the one-block sleeper and a central element (320) located between the two end elements (310).
14. The sleeper according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 4, the sleeper being a two-block sleeper, wherein the filling device (30) comprises two end elements (310) for each of the two blocks.

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