International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research Vol. 9, No.

2, May 2020

Behavior of PSC Railway Sleepers Using Next

Generation Nano Based Carbon Fiber Reinforced
Concrete
Ashutosh Ranjan
Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE, Bangalore University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Email: [email protected]

Guruswamy. J.
Jain University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Sadath Ali Khan Zai, Jayaramappa N

Department of Civil Engineering, UVCE, Bangalore University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Email: {guruhalasurkar,drsakzaiuvce,jakasauj}@gmail.com

Abstract—This research paper presents a detailed numerical, theoretical, etc. Finite Element Analysis
experimental study and finite element modelling (3D-FEM) (FEA)[2] is a numerical one which provides a tool that
of Prestressed Concrete railway sleepers using Ansys V16. can accurately simulate the behaviour of concrete
The incresing demand of high speed trains and axle loads structural member. The use of computer software to
has resulted in the modification of existing railway
model structural elements is much faster, accurate and
prestressed concrete (PSC) sleepers andtheir rail
components which in turn is demanding increased static and cost-effective. Hence, to fully understand the capabilities
impact load capacity on rails and sleepers. Present of finite element computer software, one must look back
experimental investigation consists of use of innovative new to experimental data and simple analysis
advanced materials such as integration of Carbon
Nanotubes (CNTs), Carbon fibers(CF) and polypropylene
A. Research Significance
fibers(PF) with High Performance Concrete of a design mix The main aim of the present study is a detailed
of M60 grade. Five different concrete mixes of PSC railway experimental investigation of conventional Pre-Tensioned
sleeper specimens viz. M60, M60+CNT, M60+CNT+PF, PSC sleeper reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes ( CNTs ),
M60+CNT+CF, M60+CNT+PF+CF were studied. The Carbon fibers(CF), polypropylene fibers(PF) and new
emphasis of this paper is on load-deflection aspect of new generation superplasticizer, to obtain enhanced structural
advanced materials over conventional material used in the
properties such as ductility, durability and load carrying
manufacture of railway PSC sleepers. From the
experimental result it is evident that, there is enhancement capacities, so introducing of such composite materials in
in first crack load and ultimate load and decrease in the field of sleeper manufacturing industries will benefit
deflection when compared to conventional materials of PSC in increased life span and load carrying capacity[3] of
railway sleepers and the same has been validated with PSC sleepers with quality production and less frequent
Nonlinear modal analysis..  maintenance

Index Terms—PSC Railway Sleepers, ANSYS V16, Static II. LITERATURE REVIEW
behavior of PSC sleepers, Carbon nano tubes (CNT),
Polypropylene fibres (PPF), Carbon fibre(CF), load The problem of cracking in concrete sleepers and
deflection, Modal frequency, Modal shapes. corollary damage are largely due to the high intensity
loads from wheel or rail irregularities such as wheel burns,
dipped joints, rail corrugation, or defective track stiffness.
I. INTRODUCTION Sunil Patel[4], Veerendra Kumar, Raji Nareliya[4],
Various types of railway sleepers are used based on carried out work in fatigue analysis of rail joint using
their requirement and material. Their work is to FEM. All this calls for a development of an economically
uniformly distribute the line load to earth’s surface it competitive material or structure of suitable strength
helps in maintaining the gauge between the rails and which will satisfy the needs of the industry and all the
contribute better geometric and aesthetic condition of the requirements for serviceability, durability, maintenance
track[1]. There are a number of approaches for the study and ease of construction. The key to damage-resistant
of the behaviour of concrete structures, viz., experimental, concrete and long-life concrete structures, which has been
known for a long time, lies in enhancing the tensile
strength and fracture toughness of concrete material
Manuscript received July 15, 2019; revised March 10, 2020.

© 2020 Int. J. Struct. Civ. Eng. Res. 156

doi: 10.18178/ijscer.9.2.156-160
 International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research Vol. 9, No. 2, May 2020

which is achieved by reinforcing fibers in concrete. G R section 150x270x235mm at end and 150x220x180mm at
Bharath[5], carried out work for Strengthening of post- centre and 150x220x180mm with the overall length of
tensioned beams by externally bonded and anchored 2750mm having prestressed tendon of 18 numbers 3mm
Natural Sisal fiber reinforced polymer composites In this diameter 3plyhigh tensile strands prestressed with 241KN
Experimental work the flexural behaviour, ductility Prestressing force. For the analysis purpose tendon has
characteristics and ultimate load carrying capacity of been replaced with equivalent of 5mm diameter tendons
post-tensioned beams strengthened by NSFRPs were as each 3ply.
evaluated under two point loading. To achieve these 4 PT
B. Numerical Aalysis of PSC Railway Sleepers Using
beams of size 200mmx200mmx2000mm were casted as
ANSYS v16
per IS1343-1980 in that 3 beams are strengthened by
NSFRP wrapping in flexure zone and anchored. The The brief step by step procedure of FEA analysis is as
ultimate load carrying capacity of the anchored beams follows:
was found to be increased by 27.27% compared to The basic material properties are defined in
control beams. From the test results and observations engineering data namely poission ratio, compressive
found that role of the anchorages is to transform a brittle strength, young’s mudulus of both concrete and High
type of failure into a more ductile failure. AKM Anwarul tension strands as input data. Then static structural
Islam [6], NurYazdani[6] (2008), tells about structurally analysis in workbench is adopted and the same has to be
deficient AASHTO type prestressed concrete bridge extruded in third dimension to get the 3D model of
girder with FRP wrapping was analyzed using the concrete of the PSC railway sleepers, the lines from
ANSYS FEM software and the ACI analytical approach. sketches commands is used to get the solid body of high
Both flexural and shear FRP applications, including tension strands of 18 number of 5mm diameter
vertical and inclined shear strengthening, were examined. (equivalent of 18nos. 3mm 3 ply). As per IRS T-39
Results showed that FRP wrapping can significantly standard load acting at a distance of 0.4975m from both
benefit prestressed concrete bridge girders in terms of the ends with standard support conditions, distance
flexure, shear capacity increase, deflection reduction, and between the supports is 1.195m and same loading criteria
crack control. The FRP strength was under utilized in the has been considered in static FEM analysis and model
sections elected herein, which could be addressed through analysis is shown, the positions of prestressing force on
decrease of the amount of FRP and prestressing steel used, the given tendons of magnitude 241KN on the sleeper
thereby increasing the section ductility. The ACI model is as shown in Fig. 1 and meshing is as shown in
approach produced comparable results to the FEM and Fig. 2.
can be effectively and conveniently used in design. From
the critical review of literature it is found that no one has
attempted on modification of railway PSC sleepers using
advanced materials such as Carbon nano tubes, Carbon
Fibre and Poly propylene fibre.

III. OBJECTIVE OF WORK

The objective of this work is to conduct the detailed
analysis of the PSC railway sleepers using ANSYS16 Figure 1. Prestressing force
software and experimental study of their behaviour under
standard static loading condition using standard
dimension having trapezoidal cross section
150x270x235mm at the end and 150x220x180mm at the
centre and 150x250x210mm at the rail seat with the
overall length of 2750mm (as per T39-2016 specification).
A finite element model of sleeper designed by providing
suitable ballast reaction i.e sleepers resting on elastic
foundation has been considered and the experimental
program was extended on five different modified Figure 2. Meshing
concrete mixes using advanced materials of PSC railway
sleeper specimens viz. M60, M60+CNT, M60+CNT+PF,
M60+CNT+CF, M60+CNT+PF+CF to determine load C. Properties of Materials Used
deflection relation [7], model shapes and frequency of In the present experimental investigation and Static
PSC sleepers at both cracked and un cracked conditions. finite element analysis the following material properties
for five concrete matrices viz. M60, M60+CNT,
A. Design Consideration of Sleepers M60+CNT+PF, M60+CNT+CF, M60+CNT+PF+CF are
The conventional PSC railway sleepers were under consideration for PSC railway sleepers. Which are
manufactured as per IRS T-39 (Fifth revision, February tabulated in Table I.
2016), standard dimension having trapezoidal cross

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 International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research Vol. 9, No. 2, May 2020

TABLE I. MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS CONCRETE MATRIXES

M60+C M60+CNTs+PF+
Concrete matrix M60 M60+CNTs+PF M60+CNTs+CF
NTs CF

Compressive strength MPa 67.53 69.47 70.31 72.15 74.9

Young’s mudulus MPa 34800 38700 38700 39000 39900

Density (KN/m3) 24 24 24 24 24

Poissions ratio 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.154

D. Prestressing Tendon
As per IRS T-39,the prestressing tendons consists a
diameter of 5mm and ultimate tensile strength of
1600MPa along with modulous of elasticity of 2x105MPa
and Poission ratio: 0.3 also Density of prestressing tendon
is 7.8x104KN/m3. 18 numbers of prestressing wires with
3mm and 3 ply were used. Whereas, in FEA 5mm
equivalent diameter has been considered.

IV. LOAD DEFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS OF PSC Figure 3. M60+CNTs+PPF+CF(typical)

RAILWAY SLEEPERS
From the FEA analysis, deformation models are
obtained for PSC railway sleepers for all five material
models viz.
M60, M60+CNT, M60+CNT+PF, M60+CNT+CF,
M60+CNT+CF+PF which are tabulated in Table II.

TABLE II. YIELD DEFLECTION VALUES

ANSYS Experiment
Concrete matrix A/E
(mm) al (mm)
Figure 4. Combined curve of all five models
M60 0.86 0.86 0.996

M60+CNTs 0.93 0.93 1.00

V. MODAL ANALYSIS OF PSC SLEEPERS
M60+CNTs+PF 0.97 0.97 1.006 A modal analysis determines the vibration
characteristics [8](natural frequencies[9] and mode
M60+CNTs+CF 1.01 1.01 1.008 shapes[10]) of the structures or a machine component,
which can be used as an indicator of the structure safety
M60+CNTs+PF+CF 1.18 1.15 1.027
and health monitoring. The natural frequencies and mode
shapes are important parameters in the design of a
structure for dynamic loading conditions. In the present
A. Load Deflection Models
work, the modal analysis is done on PSC railway sleepers
The load deformation curves as obtained from FEA to obtain the frequency of first 10 modes. In modal
ANSYS v16 for all five models viz. M60(D1), analysis only linear behavior is valid, damping and any
M60+CNT(D2),M60+CNT+PF(D3), M60+CNT+CF(D4), applied loads are ignored.
M60+CNT+CF+PF(D5) has been plotted and 5th modal
curve has been shown in Fig. 3. And the combined load A. Modal 1 for M60:
deformation curve of all five models has been plotted in First 10 mode shapes of M60 model 1 are analyzed and
Fig. 4. the frequencies arrived in the range of 1.242Hz to 73.911
Hz, and the 3 mode for respective frequencies has been
shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.

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 International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research Vol. 9, No. 2, May 2020

TABLE IV. EMPIRICAL FREQUENCIES OF ALL MODELS

Frequency Hz
Mode No.(n)
M60+CN M60+CN M60+CNT M60+CNT
M60
T T+PPF +CF +PPF+CF

M1 0.866 0.904 0.913 0.92 0.93

M2 3.463 3.62 3.65 3.66 3.71

Figure 5. Mode 1. F= 1.242Hz (typical)

M3 7.79 8.14 8.22 8.25 8.34

The above values in Table IV are in a range of ±20%

of the analytical values obtained using FEA
ANSYSV16.0. First three (M1-M3) values out of 10
modes are considered for comparison and same has been
validated.

VI. CONCLUSION
Based on the results obtained from FEA ANSYS v16
Figure 6. Mode 2: f= 3.3188Hz(typical) analysis following conclusions has been drawn:
The dimensions obtained in prestressed concrete
Similarly the analytical results of modal analysis of sleepers is lesser than other conventional PSC sleepers
first 10 modes(M1 to M10) and its frequency obtained for with enhanced performance under service loads
all five models namely M60, M60+CNT, M60+CNT+PF, compared to PSC sleeper with the use of advanced
M60+CNT+CF, M60+CNT+CF+PF has been tabulated materials which help in the reduction of dead weight of
below in the Table III. specimen which contributes to the ease of handling and
transportation.
TABLE III . FREQUENCY (HZ) OF ALL FIVE MODEL AND THEIR FIRST 10 The yield deflection obtained during FEA ANSYS v16
MODES (M1-M10)
and experimental process is nearly the same and the ratio
Mode M60+CN of analytical to experimental (A/E) is nearly unity.
M60+C M60+CN M60+CN The modal frequencies obtained for the first 10 modes
Shape M60 T+PPF+C
NT T+PPF T+CF
s F M1 to M10 is in the range of ±20% of empirical values.
There is a incremental increase in stiffness since
M1 1.2410 1.2425 1.244 1.2455 1.247 stiffness is directly proportional to young’s modulus and
here the young’s modulus taken is in the increasing order
M2 3.3188 3.3229 3.3269 3.331 3.3351 from 3.48x104 to 3.99x104Mpa in model 1 to 5, hence
there is an increase in frequencies with respective modal
M3 7.5482 7.5573 7.5665 7.5757 7.585
shapes in both analytical as well as empirically.
It may be evident that higher the frequency lower is the
M4 8.3884 8.3986 8.4089 8.4191 8.4295
displacement in model 5 ( M60+CNT+CF+PPF) among
M5 16.499 16.519 16.539 16.559 16.58
all the five models considered, hence, the model 5 is best
among all the other models chosen for FEA analysis as
M6 16.787 16.808 16.829 16.849 16.87 well as experimental work.

M7 17.314 17.335 17.357 17.379 17.4 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest.
M8 36.118 36.162 36.206 36.25 36.295

M9 44.157 44.211 44.265 44.32 44.375 AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

The analytical work on the ANSYS v16 workbench is
M10 73.911 73.912 73.914 73.916 73.918 done by Mr. Ashutosh Ranjan and Dr. N. Jayaramappa
whereas the experimental work is carried out by Dr.
B. Model Frequencies Based on Empirical Formula Sadath Ali Khan Zai and Mr. Guruswamy j. And the
The Compared values of analytical results with paper typing work has been performed by Mr. Ashutosh
empirical formula has been tabulated in the Table IV. Ranjan under the guidance of Dr. Sadath Ali Khan Zai.

© 2020 Int. J. Struct. Civ. Eng. Res. 159

 International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research Vol. 9, No. 2, May 2020

REFERENCES Ashutosh Ranjan born in Rajpur(Aurangabad),

Bihar, India on 24th January 1994, has completed
[1] B. S. Kalyan, Dr. J. Guru Jawahar, C. Sreenivasulu, “Analytical his graduation in civil engineering from
study on fly ash and GGBS blended reinforced geopolymer Sathyabama University Chennai, India in the year
concrete beams by using ANSYS,” vol. 05, June 2017. 2015, and currently pursuing his masters degree in
[2] A. Gupta, M. S. Kulkarni, “Finite element analysis of CFRP Structural Engineering from UVCE, Bangalore
wrapped bonded and unbonded post tensioned beams,” vol. 04, University, Karnataka, India.
May-2017 He has done a summer training during his
[3] V. Debnath and B. Debnath, “Deflection and stress analysis of a graduation in Trans Tech Turnkey Private limited
beam on different elements using Ansys APDL,” International and having a work experience as a SITE ENGINEER from year mid.
Journal of Mechanical Engineering & Technology (IJMET), vol. 5, 2015 to 2017 at Niranjan Rai Construction Pvt. Limited.
no. 6, pp. 70 -79, 2014. Ashutosh Ranjan has attended a conference in Modern trends in
[4] S. Patel, V. Kumar, R. Nareliya, “Fatigue analysis of rail joint concrete.
using finite element method,” International Journal of Research in
Engineering and Technology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 80-84, 2013.
[5] G. R. Bharath, H. N. J. Reddy, “Strengthening of post-tensioned Mr. Guruswamy J has born in Halasuru, Karnataka, India on 27th June
beams by externally bonded and anchored natural sisal fiber 1967 and completed his graduation in civil engineering from PES
reinforced polymer composites,” vol. 02, September 2015 college of engineering in the year 1996, and ME in construction
[6] AKM Anwarul Islam, N. Yazdani, “Performance of AASHTO technology from UVCE Bangalore in the year 2014 and persuing his
girder bridges under ballast loading,” vol. 30, July 2008. doctorate degree from Jain University since 2014.
[7] J. N. Mahto, S. C. Roy, J. Kushwaha, and R. S. Prasad, He is having 21 year of teaching experience and presently working
“Displacement analysis of cantilever beam using fem package,” as a senior lecturer at PVP polytechnic college Karnataka India.
International Journal of Mechanical Engineering & Technology Mr. Guruswamy is a member of MISTE,MICI.
(IJMET), vol. 4, pp. 75 - 78, 2013,
[8] I. A. Khan, G. K. Awari, “The analysis of vibrational response of Dr. Sadath Ali Khan Zai has born in Bangalore, Karnataka, India on
structures with uncertain parameters,” vol. 6, August 2013 05th February 1964 has completed his graduation in civil engineering
[9] N. Kharate, Dr. S. Chaudhari S, “Investigation of natural from PES college Mandya and master’s degree in construction
frequency and model analysis of brake rotor using Fea and Ema,” technology as well as doctorate degree from UVCE, Bangalore
vol. 3, October-2014, University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
[10] P. Lengvarsky, J. Bocko, M. Hagara, “Model analysis of titan He is having a teaching and research experience of 34 years at
cantilever beam using ANSYS and solidworks,” American UVCE, Bangalore University Karnataka.
Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 1, no. 7, 271-275, Dr. Sadath Ali Khan Zai is a life member of profession bodies
November 2013. namely Indian society of theoretical and applied mechanics, Indian
geotechnical society, Indian Society of technical education and Indian
concrete Institute.

Copyright © 2020 by the authors. This is an open access article Dr. N. Jayaramappa has born in Chitradurga, Karnataka, India on
distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY- 22nd July 1965and completed his graduation in civil engineering from
NC-ND 4.0), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any BDT Davangere in the year 1990, and ME from SIT Tumkur in the year
medium, provided that the article is properly cited, the use is non- 2001 and obtained his doctorate degree from UVCE 2017.
commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. He is having 28 year of teaching experience.
Dr. N. Jayaramappa is a member of MISTE,MICI

© 2020 Int. J. Struct. Civ. Eng. Res. 160