What is BS EN 13230-1 - Requirements for concrete sleepers and bearers about?
BS EN 13230-1 is part of the BS EN 13230 series defines technical criteria and control procedures that need to be satisfied by the constituent materials and the finished concrete sleepers and bearers, i.e.: precast concrete sleepers, twin-block reinforced sleepers, bearers for switches and crossings, and special elements for railway tracks.
In BS EN 13230-1 mechanical tests are defined which provide assurance of the capability of sleepers or bearers to resist repetitive loading and provide sufficient durability. In addition, controls are placed on manufacturing processes and tests to ensure that the concrete will not suffer degradation in service through chemical reaction and frost damage.
Who is BS EN 13230-1 - Requirements for concrete sleepers and bearers for?
BS EN 13230-1 on requirements for concrete sleepers and bearers is useful for:
- Railway management authorities
- Infrastructure managers
- Site supervisors
- Inspection and testing department in railways 
- Train operator companies (TOCs)
- Railway manufacturers
Why should you use BS EN 13230-1 - Requirements for concrete sleepers and bearers?
Concrete sleepers and bearers are the main components supporting steelworks and redistributing dynamic forces onto ballast and formation. The main requirement of concrete sleepers and bearers is the transmission of vertical, lateral, and longitudinal loads from the rails to the ballast or other support. In use, they are also exposed to frost damage and to moisture, which can result in detrimental chemical reactions within the sleeper.
BS EN 13230-1 specifies requirements, tests for concrete sleepers and bearers to ensure that the concrete will not suffer degradation in service through a chemical reaction, frost damage, low cost, high durability, ease in construction, and maintenance, concrete bearers will continue to be the popular components in modern turnout systems.
BS EN 13230-1 provides assurance of the capability of sleepers or bearers to resist repetitive loading and provide sufficient durability.
BS EN 13230-1 specifies requirements, tests for concrete sleepers and bearers to evaluate the design methods and to analyse the failure mechanism of the concrete sleepers and bearers.
