A railroad tie formed of a polymeric or polymeric composite material and configured for enhanced mechanical interaction with an underlying ballast. The tie includes at least a top longitudinal surface, a pair of side longitudinal surfaces, a bottom longitudinal surface, and two end faces. At least the bottom longitudinal surface includes a plurality of indentations formed along a length thereof. Additionally, the tie includes at least one serrated edge portion having a plurality of serrations, the at least one serrated edge portion formed along at least part of the longitudinal length of the tie at an edge between at least one of the side longitudinal surfaces and the bottom longitudinal surface to provide for enhanced mechanical interaction with the ballast.

A railroad tie formed of a polymeric or polymeric composite material and configured for enhanced mechanical interaction with an underlying ballast. The tie includes at least a top longitudinal surface, a pair of side longitudinal surfaces, a bottom longitudinal surface, and two end faces. At least the bottom longitudinal surface includes a plurality of indentations formed along a length thereof. Additionally, the tie includes at least one serrated edge portion having a plurality of serrations, the at least one serrated edge portion formed along at least part of the longitudinal length of the tie at an edge between at least one of the side longitudinal surfaces and the bottom longitudinal surface to provide for enhanced mechanical interaction with the ballast.

A system for crafting railroad crossties of compressed bamboo is described. The system employs a hydraulic press configured to effectively compress multiple stalks of bamboo into a strong unified beam within a mold. Bamboo is first mashed, dried, and treated. A resin is employed as a permanent adhesive, binding the stalks together. The bamboo is stacked within a mold and compressed under the pressure exerted by the hydraulic press. An oven is used to heat the compressed bamboo, and then the bamboo is cooled. The compressed bamboo beam may then be trimmed to remove excess bamboo, and is cut into crosstie segments if needed. The resulting crosstie is sturdy, ecologically friendly, and rapidly manufactured.

A system for crafting railroad crossties of compressed bamboo is described. The system employs a hydraulic press configured to effectively compress multiple stalks of bamboo into a strong unified beam within a mold. Bamboo is first mashed, dried, and treated. A resin is employed as a permanent adhesive, binding the stalks together. The bamboo is stacked within a mold and compressed under the pressure exerted by the hydraulic press. An oven is used to heat the compressed bamboo, and then the bamboo is cooled. The compressed bamboo beam may then be trimmed to remove excess bamboo, and is cut into crosstie segments if needed. The resulting crosstie is sturdy, ecologically friendly, and rapidly manufactured.

A natural fiber-based, engineered beam assembly comprising opposing top and bottom surfaces, opposing first and second side surfaces and a longitudinal axis. Loads applied to the beam assembly are normal to the top surface. Substantially parallel layers of flattened bamboo or vegetable cane culms are stacked and laminated together. Each layer is formed by at least one culm, and each culm has fiber bundles extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and are impregnated with a binder. The density of the fiber bundles in the culm decreases across the culm's thickness from the exterior surface to the interior surface. At least a plurality of the culms have a common orientation, wherein the exterior surfaces face toward a same one of the top, bottom, first or second side surfaces.

A natural fiber-based, engineered beam assembly comprising opposing top and bottom surfaces, opposing first and second side surfaces and a longitudinal axis. Loads applied to the beam assembly are normal to the top surface. Substantially parallel layers of flattened bamboo or vegetable cane culms are stacked and laminated together. Each layer is formed by at least one culm, and each culm has fiber bundles extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and are impregnated with a binder. The density of the fiber bundles in the culm decreases across the culm's thickness from the exterior surface to the interior surface. At least a plurality of the culms have a common orientation, wherein the exterior surfaces face toward a same one of the top, bottom, first or second side surfaces.

The present invention discloses an assembled bamboo sleeper, which is obtained by using a bamboo unit as a raw material, dried and modified at the temperature of 110-180 C., undergone coating treatment using a dopamine solution, adhesive dipping, curing and solidifying, assembling and gluing, further solidifying, further treatment using a dopamine solution, and anti-mildew and/or anti-corrosion and/or anti-insect treatment, and then fastened. The present invention further provides a preparation method for the foregoing bamboo sleeper. The bamboo sleeper prepared in the present invention is green and environmentally friendly, and applicable for ballasted tracks of railways and urban rail transit systems.

The present invention discloses an assembled bamboo sleeper, which is obtained by using a bamboo unit as a raw material, dried and modified at the temperature of 110-180 C., undergone coating treatment using a dopamine solution, adhesive dipping, curing and solidifying, assembling and gluing, further solidifying, further treatment using a dopamine solution, and anti-mildew and/or anti-corrosion and/or anti-insect treatment, and then fastened. The present invention further provides a preparation method for the foregoing bamboo sleeper. The bamboo sleeper prepared in the present invention is green and environmentally friendly, and applicable for ballasted tracks of railways and urban rail transit systems.

A laminated wood and encapsulated railroad tie structure and its associated method of manufacture. A wood core of laminated wood slats is inserted into an extruded sleeve of scrap tire rubber and polyurethane. A urethane adhesive laminates the wood slats together and serves as a lubricant and bonding agent for placement and secured engagement of the sleeve about the core. End caps are securely engaged at each end of the composite sleeve, being secured to both the wood or other natural fiber core and sleeve. Longitudinal grooves or slots for engagement with a railroad bed characterize the bottom and side surfaces of the sleeve. The core may be provided with bores and grooves to receive sensors and conductors interconnected with a processor and transponder maintained in an end cap. The end case also maintains a photovoltaic device and power source for the active elements of the railroad tie structure. The core may also be manufactured of a wood or other natural fiber giving the core a desired flex modulus to provide for better control and serviceability of associated rails and railway cars.

A laminated wood and encapsulated railroad tie structure and its associated method of manufacture. A wood core of laminated wood slats is inserted into an extruded sleeve of scrap tire rubber and polyurethane. A urethane adhesive laminates the wood slats together and serves as a lubricant and bonding agent for placement and secured engagement of the sleeve about the core. End caps are securely engaged at each end of the composite sleeve, being secured to both the wood or other natural fiber core and sleeve. Longitudinal grooves or slots for engagement with a railroad bed characterize the bottom and side surfaces of the sleeve. The core may be provided with bores and grooves to receive sensors and conductors interconnected with a processor and transponder maintained in an end cap. The end case also maintains a photovoltaic device and power source for the active elements of the railroad tie structure. The core may also be manufactured of a wood or other natural fiber giving the core a desired flex modulus to provide for better control and serviceability of associated rails and railway cars.