Project Specification
Location: Railway track maintenance section in a city in Sichuan Province
Application: Railway track maintenance access
Product: Fibreglass Grating
Overview of the project
The railway track maintenance section needs to be paved on both sides of the railway track to provide a strong maintenance access.
Problem
Due to the constant flow of people and the occasional use of heavy machinery to service the tracks. The application required a robust structural support system to help workers facilitate access and to withstand vehicle loads without breaking.
The main requirements of the project were
- Non-corrosive materials - As the access track was to be used outdoors in the elements, it had to be corrosion-resistant.
- Lightweight - The material had to be lightweight to help simplify the installation process for the client.
- High Strength - The grating panels used in this project should be seen as a 'safety net' in the event of paving stones failing and therefore had to be high strength.
Solution
The fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) grating provided the ideal solution for the maintenance section of the railway track. The grating was used as an access walkway over the stone paving. An isophthalic polyester resin system was used, which can be used in highly corrosive environments such as industrial, chemical and water/wastewater treatment facilities. Water/wastewater treatment facilities, FRP grating is chosen because it meets the following needs for this application:
Corrosion Resistance - FRP grating is known for its resistance to corrosion in the harshest environments. FRP grating can easily withstand the effects of inclement weather.
Low Maintenance - The corrosion resistance of FRP grating will reduce or eliminate the need for maintenance in this application.
Even after acids and alkalis have penetrated the concrete, no maintenance is required.
High Strength-to-Weight Ratio - FRP grating is less than one-half the weight of steel grating, but the fibreglass reinforced plastic is strong enough to withstand the vehicle loads in this application. The lighter weight of fibreglass reinforced plastic makes it easier to install and, if necessary, remove.
It's worth noting that they had considered a High Load Capacity (HLC) moulded steel grating walkway for this access road before purchasing our FRP grating. After careful analysis of the alternatives by the TFN sales representative, it was decided that steel grating was not required. The FRP grating pavers were able to withstand the weight of the surface walkway, so they only needed a "safety net" in the stone pavers in case of possible breakage. This proved to be much more effective and saved the client a great deal of money. This application has had a successful year and will remain in good condition for years to come. The customer is satisfied with the solution provided by Tianfu New Material.
