>> PRODUCTS & SERVICES - DESIGN & TESTING

> Stage One: Theoretical Design

Austrak applies its extensive knowledge base to the design of concrete sleepers and turnout bearers. As seen from the extensive range, Austrak is able to design products for almost any type of railway application.

By applying comprehensive design methodologies, Austrak is able to deliver a range of solutions which ensures the products are capable of meeting existing and future demands. The use of prescribed, limit state or track data based design methodologies, supplemented with finite element and failure mode critical analysis in a track based model, allows Austrak to monitor historical sleeper performance characteristics with mathematical precision.

All of Austrak's product designs are engineering based, allowing performance over the life of the product to be calculated.

> Stage Two: Production Design and Testing

Prior to commencing mass production of a new design, the company carries out computer based modelling to prove the theoretical design. Exhaustive repeated-load tests on prototype sleepers are then evaluated against the theoretical data and the client's performance expectations.

During production there are various testing hold points that ensure the conformity of:

• materials put into the products
• prestressing, and
• concrete strengths.

Sample sleepers are then taken from each bed to ensure the final product meets testing criteria for first crack and bond as well as dimensional testing. All sleepers are visually checked for any defects.

Austrak has an extensive computer based factory software package monitoring raw material data, defects, concrete strengths, beam testing strengths as well as stockpile and dispatch information. Use of this system develops traceability and ensures compliance to quality standards.