High strength, integrally pre-stressed monoblock concrete crosstie with optimal geometry for use in ballasted railways

A monoblock reinforced concrete crosstie for use in ballasted railways comprising:

• an elongated concrete element having a longitudinal axis;
• an internal steel structure of the concrete element comprising one or more c-shaped steel plates, each having a first tensioning structure configured for connection to an external tensioning device and a second tensioning structure coupled to a steel element that is internal to the monoblock pre-stressed concrete crosstie;
• one or more widened rail seat and shoulder bearing surface of the concrete element;
• and
• symmetric opposing sides of the concrete element, each having a plurality of lateral wedges configured to interlock with railroad ballast, wherein the c-shaped steel plates comprise two or more first plates at a first end and two or more second plates at a second end, each of the first plates coupled to one of the second plates by a plurality of pre-stressed wires, wherein each wire is tensioned to at least 70% (seventy percent) of its elastic capacity, wherein the plurality of pre-stressed wires are arranged in parallel, and wherein each of the plurality of pre-stressed wires is secured to one or more of the plates by pressed button head knots located at the wire ends, wherein the plates of the internal steel structure are embedded in the elongated concrete element and apply a compressive force to the elongated concrete element, wherein the plurality of pre-stressed wires work by adherence to transfer a load to the concrete, wherein the elongated concrete member is made of high strength concrete capable of supporting a minimum load of 39 tons (US) on each axle of the crosstie, wherein the crosstie has a maximum length of 8 feet, wherein the elongated concrete element has dimensions from a center of a rail seat to a nearest end of 18 inches or less, a plurality of rail seats and a plurality of field-side shoulders having a transverse width of approximately 10 inches on an upper surface of the crosstie, where one or more the rail seats widens to approximately 12.3 inches at a base, wherein the elongated concrete element comprises a center section having a first width, wherein the rail seat and shoulder bearing surface has a second width, and wherein the ends have a third width, and wherein the second width is greater than either the first width or the third width, wherein the plurality of lateral wedges comprise two or more wedges in each end and two or more wedges at a transition between each of two widened rail seat and shoulder bearing surfaces and a central body, and further comprising a plurality of wedges disposed along a bottom surface of the elongated concrete element.

A monoblock pre-stressed concrete crosstie for use in ballasted railways comprising:

• an elongated concrete element having a longitudinal axis;
• an internal steel structure of the concrete element comprising one or more reinforced steel plates, each having a first tensioning structure configured for connection to an external tensioning device and a second tensioning structure coupled to a steel element that is internal to the monoblock pre-stressed concrete crosstie;
• one or more widened rail seat and shoulder bearing surface of the concrete element;
• and
• symmetric opposing sides of the concrete element, each having a plurality of lateral wedges configured to interlock with railroad ballast;
• wherein the reinforced steel plates comprise two or more first c-shaped plates at a first end and two or more second plates at a second end, each of the first c-shaped plates coupled to one of the second plates by a plurality of pre-stressed wires, wherein each wire is tensioned to at least 70% (seventy percent) of its elastic capacity, wherein the plurality of pre-stressed wires are arranged in parallel, and wherein each of the plurality of pre-stressed wires is secured to one or more of the plates by pressed button head knots located at the wire ends.