Approach Slab - Railroad

[2457F]

Hello,

Are there any design examples of an approach slab for a railroad bridge out there?

SEG

 

[thaidavid40]

I know that Norfolk-Southern, and Union Pacific, both have drawing details of some of their standards. You might try their websites to see if they address your need.
Dave

Thaidavid

 

[dhengr]

2457F:
Talk with your friendly local RR, they all have their own favorite details for all things civil and mechanical. You most likely want the civil, structural and fixed infrastructure dept., not the mech. dept. which is involved with railcars, and locomotives, rolling stock, etc. You obviously want a gradual transition from rails on ties, to rails on the approach slab, to rails on the abutment and then the bridge deck. One of the big issues is that soil compaction right behind the abutment is often inferior and settles some over time, so the approach slab should span this area for some distance depending upon the sub-grade strength. Also, check out AREMA (The American Railway and Maintenance-of-Way Association), they have many stds. on these matters, and their members are the railroad people who do this kind of work.

 

[bridgebuster]

Here's a detail from a recently constructed bridge in NY.