ABSTRACT
This paper assesses the effects of expansion mechanisms in prestressed concrete sleepers. A consequence of these mechanisms in concrete is the decrease in some mechanical properties such as compressive strength, tensile strength and Young’s modulus. Using the software ATENA 3D, based on the Finite Element Method, four geometrically identical sleepers were simulated with different expansion level rates. The values of the reduction of the mechanical properties were obtained through experimental tests results. From the results of the numerical analysis it was possible to correlate the maximum displacement, the states of stress-strain and the crack pattern with the loss of mechanical properties. It was observed that the shoulder region of prestressed sleepers tends to be more susceptible to the appearance of cracks, a phenomenon caused mainly as a consequence of the sleepers manufacturing process by prestressing, causing loss of bond in the regions close to the edge of the sleepers.
