Ballast Deck Components

  1. Sub-panels

The width of sub-panels may vary from 2" to 24". A typical sub-panel is 24" wide and is comprised of 3 timbers surfaced four sides to 5 ¾" x 8".

  1. The timbers are dowel laminated with ¾" spiral steel dowel pins hydraulically inserted in a prebored undersized hole.
  1. Ballast Retainers
  1. Surfaced from 6" x 8" stock and dowel laminated to a finished dimension of 5 ¾" x 15 ½".
  2. The length is determined by the length of deck panel.
  3. The ballast retainer is prebored typically on 24" centers for ¾" machine bolts.
  1. Deck Panels

 

  1. Consist of sub-panels and ballast retainers that are bolted together with ¾" machine bolts.
  2. Panel length is determined by specified drawings or requirements. Panels are being manufactured in lengths of 12’ or less.
  1. Walkways
  1. Walk blocks are supplied with deck panels as required. They are pre-attached with ¾" machine bolts and countersunk to allow field application of walkway planking.
  1. Handling
  1. To prevent wracking panels they must be lifted at four points during unloading and placement on the bridge.
  2. The drain holes ate typically used as lift points.

 

Shipment

  1. For rail shipments chain flats have proven the most economical and with proper blocking and restraints very secure.
  2. Truck shipments limit panel lenghts to 10’ or less.
  1. Treatment
  1. All deck components are framed prior to treatment. Treatment is accordance with A.W.P.A. specifications.

Advantages of Paneled Ballast Deck Bridges

  1. Structural Advantages
  1. All framing and boring is performed prior to treatment providing maximum treatment in decay prone areas.
  2. Material is fabricated in a controlled environment to design specifications with stringent quality control.
  3. In plant fabrication allows maximum flexibility in design while maintaining engineering oversight.
  4. The sub-panel design reduces hardware and eliminates "Binder Planks."
  1. Economic Advantages
  1. Train delays are reduced by 30% to 60%.
  2. The labor force on the job is reduced up to 30%.
  3. Installation time cut by up to 60%.
  1. Safety Advantages
  1. The system reduces open deck time and the risk of falls.
  2. Eliminates physical manual labor and the risk of injuries.
  3. Encourages environmentally safe construction practices.