Concrete Sleeper

Concrete sleeper is a durable and long-lasting infrastructure element made of concrete, designed to secure railway rails and transfer train loads evenly to the ground.

Importance and Current Usage of Concrete Sleepers

In TCDD's infrastructure system, the most commonly used type of sleeper is the prestressed concrete sleeper. According to the 2013 Sector Report, the use of concrete sleepers has rapidly become widespread to increase the service life of railway tracks, reduce maintenance costs, and maintain the track gauge over long periods.

According to TCDD’s 2023 Network Statement, concrete sleepers are used on the vast majority of active railway lines throughout Türkiye. They are especially preferred on high-speed train lines, main lines used for heavy freight transportation, and long-distance connections.

Technical Specifications

• Dimensions: Typically 260 cm in length, 25–30 cm in width, and 20 cm in thickness
• Weight: Between 250–300 kg
• Material: Prestressed high-strength concrete of class C40–C60
• Fastening system: Elastic rail fastening systems such as Pandrol, Vossloh, or similar
• Service life: 40–50 years under suitable conditions
• Standard: TS EN 13230 series – Concrete sleeper standards

Areas of Use

• High-speed train (YHT) lines
• Main routes on conventional lines
• Heavy freight lines serving industrial zones
• Track renewal applications with machines
• Railway lines over tunnels and bridges

Advantages

• Long service life: Reduces investment costs with a lifespan exceeding 40 years
• Low maintenance requirement: Does not require frequent maintenance due to its stable form
• High strength: Resistant to extreme heat, frost, and humidity
• Stable geometry: Contributes to the preservation of track gauge and line geometry
• Recyclability: At the end of its life, the concrete can be crushed and reused

Limitations

• Weight: Requires special machinery for transportation and placement
• Insulation issue: Not preferred in signal zones due to the risk of electrical conductivity
• Brittleness: Carries the risk of cracking under sudden impacts

Strategic Evaluation

Within the scope of the TCDD Strategic Plan 2021–2023, the primary goals include infrastructure modernization, reducing maintenance frequency, and increasing energy efficiency. In line with these goals, it is expected that the use of concrete sleepers will expand, and that a standard of concrete sleepers will be ensured across all high-speed and conventional lines.

Standards

• TS EN 13230-1-6: Defines the production, quality control, and testing methods for concrete sleepers
• UIC 713: International standards for concrete sleepers
• TCDD Technical Specification: Contains criteria for domestic production and application details

Concrete sleepers are a cornerstone of Türkiye’s modern railway system. With their superior properties such as high durability, long service life, low maintenance cost, and geometric stability, they have become standard particularly on heavily trafficked lines. In TCDD’s strategic infrastructure vision, concrete sleepers play a critical role not only in existing lines but also in new railway projects.