EN 16431:2014
(Main)Railway applications - Track - Hollow sleepers and bearers
Railway applications - Track - Hollow sleepers and bearers
This European Standard defines technical criteria and control procedures which are satisfied by hollow sleepers and bearers used in ballasted track with Vignole rails. The hollow sleepers and bearers designed for ballasted track can also be used in ballastless track. In this case, the requirements are defined by the customer.
Bahnanwendungen - Oberbau - Hohlschwellen für Gleise und Weichen
Diese Europäische Norm legt die zu erfüllenden technischen Kriterien und Kontrollverfahren für Hohlschwellen für Gleise und Weichen mit Vignolschienen in einem Schotterbett fest. Die Hohlschwellen für Gleise und Weichen, die für Schottergleise konstruiert wurden, können auch für feste Fahrbahnen verwendet werden. In diesem Fall sind die Anforderungen durch den Kunden festzulegen
Applications ferroviaires - Voie - Traverses et supports creux
Cette Norme européenne définit les critères techniques ainsi que les procédures de contrôle qui sont respectés dans le cas des traverses creuses et des supports creux utilisés sur une voie ballastée avec des rails Vignoles. Les traverses creuses et les supports creux conçus pour les voies ballastées peuvent également être utilisés sur des voies sans ballast. Les exigences sont définies par le client.
Železniške naprave - Zgornji ustroj proge - Votli pragovi in nosilci
Standard EN 16431 določa tehnična merila in nadzorne postopke, ki jih izpolnjujejo votli pragovi in nosilci, ki se uporabljajo pri zgornjem ustroju prog s tamponskim slojem s tirnicami Vignole. Votle pragove in nosilce, oblikovane za zgornji ustroj s tamponskim slojem, je mogoče uporabljati tudi pri zgornjem ustroju prog brez tamponskega sloja. V tem primeru zahteve določi stranka.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 15-Jul-2014
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 256 - Railway applications
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 256/SC 1/WG 16 - Sleepers and bearers
- Current Stage
- 9092 - Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ - revise - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 23-Aug-2022
- Completion Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 31-Aug-2022
Overview
EN 16431:2014 - Railway applications - Track - Hollow sleepers and bearers - is a European Standard published by CEN that sets technical criteria, test methods and control procedures for hollow sleepers and bearers used in ballasted track with Vignole rails. The standard covers functional and design requirements, environmental and mechanical testing, homologation (approval) criteria, routine quality control and traceability. Hollow sleepers/bearers designed for ballasted track may be used in ballastless track only when customer-defined requirements are applied.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope and definitions: Clear terms for body, interface, top/bottom width, tamping area, bending moment, etc., and requirement that at least 50% of the cross-sectional area is hollow to house equipment.
- Design and functional requirements: Bodies must transmit vertical, lateral and longitudinal wheel loads to ballast, support bending moments and provide space for devices (switch actuation, wheel detection, cables, pipes).
- Materials and environmental requirements: Includes provisions for environmental testing (hot/cold climates, flammability considerations and severe exposure where applicable).
- Testing and homologation:
- Repeated loading tests for fastening systems and interfaces (cyclic performance).
- Bending tests for the sleeper/bearer body.
- Electrical resistance tests and field tests.
- Optional tests: impact attenuation, pad and assembly stiffness.
- Acceptance and quality control: Criteria for homologation, routine manufacturing tests, dimension tolerances, electrical resistance checks and traceability requirements.
- Referenced test standards: EN 13481 (fastening performance), EN 13146 series (fastening test methods), EN 50125-3 (environmental conditions), and EN ISO 7500-1 (testing machine verification).
Applications and Practical Value
- Use EN 16431:2014 to design, specify, test and approve hollow sleepers and bearers for new or renovated ballasted tracks using Vignole rails.
- Ensures compatibility of fastening systems, interfaces and under-sleeper pads (USPs) with hollow elements.
- Guides manufacturers on homologation testing and provides infrastructure owners and contractors with objective acceptance criteria for procurement.
- Helps testing laboratories and certification bodies apply standardized mechanical, electrical and environmental tests for reliable product validation.
- Useful for maintenance planners to understand performance limits (tamping area, space for equipment) and for designers integrating signalling, detection and cabling within sleepers.
Who Should Use This Standard
- Railway infrastructure designers and engineers
- Sleeper/bearer manufacturers and suppliers
- Track fastening system vendors
- Testing laboratories and certification bodies
- Railway operators, procurement teams and maintenance organizations
Related Standards
- EN 13481 (fastening system performance)
- EN 13146 series (fastening test methods)
- EN 50125-3 (environmental conditions for railway equipment)
- EN ISO 7500-1 (verification of testing machines)
Using EN 16431:2014 helps ensure hollow sleepers and bearers meet harmonized European requirements for safety, durability and interoperability in rail track systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 16431:2014 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Railway applications - Track - Hollow sleepers and bearers". This standard covers: This European Standard defines technical criteria and control procedures which are satisfied by hollow sleepers and bearers used in ballasted track with Vignole rails. The hollow sleepers and bearers designed for ballasted track can also be used in ballastless track. In this case, the requirements are defined by the customer.
This European Standard defines technical criteria and control procedures which are satisfied by hollow sleepers and bearers used in ballasted track with Vignole rails. The hollow sleepers and bearers designed for ballasted track can also be used in ballastless track. In this case, the requirements are defined by the customer.
EN 16431:2014 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 93.100 - Construction of railways. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 16431:2014 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13481-8:2006, EN ISO 22074-8:2024, EN 13481-3:2022, EN 13146-3:2012, EN 13481-5:2022, EN ISO 22074-5:2024, EN 13481-2:2022, EN 13481-1:2012, EN ISO 7500-1:2018, EN 13481-4:2022, EN ISO 22074-6:2024, EN 13481-7:2022, FprEN 16431. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 16431:2014 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2008/57/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/483. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 16431:2014 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Železniške naprave - Zgornji ustroj proge - Votli pragovi in nosilciBahnanwendungen - Oberbau - Hohlwand-Gleis- und WeichenschwellenApplications ferroviaires - Voie - Traverses et supports en creuxRailway applications - Track - Hollow sleepers and bearers93.100Gradnja železnicConstruction of railways45.080Rails and railway componentsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 16431:2014SIST EN 16431:2014en,fr,de01-oktober-2014SIST EN 16431:2014SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 16431
July 2014 ICS 93.100 English Version
Railway applications - Track - Hollow sleepers and bearers
Applications ferroviaires - Voie - Traverses et supports creux
Bahnanwendungen - Oberbau - Hohlschwellen für Gleise und Weichen This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 April 2014.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 16431:2014 ESIST EN 16431:2014
Effect on repeated loading on fastening system and interface . 16 A.1 General . 16 A.2 Symbols . 16 A.3 Principle . 17 A.4 Apparatus . 17 A.4.1 Rail . 17 A.4.2 Load application head. 18 A.4.3 Verification of calibration . 18 A.5 Test specimens . 18 A.5.1 Sleeper or other rail support . 18 A.5.2 Fastening . 19 A.6 Test procedure . 19 A.6.1 General . 19 A.6.2 Preparation for test . 19 A.6.3 Cyclic loading . 19 A.6.4 Visual inspection . 20 A.6.5 Rail foot lateral displacement . 20 A.7 Test report . 21 Annex B (normative)
Bending test for body only . 22 B.1 Scope . 22 B.2 Apparatus . 22 B.2.1 Load application devices . 22 B.3 Test specimens . 24 B.3.1 Hollow sleeper or bearer body . 24 B.4 Procedure . 24 B.4.1 General . 24 B.4.2 Test arrangement . 24 B.4.3 Resilient pad . 25 B.4.4 Procedure . 26 B.5 Test report . 27 Bibliography . 28
fyk Characteristic value of yield strength 4 Requirements 4.1 General The main requirement of hollow sleepers and bearers is the transmission of vertical, lateral and longitudinal loads of the wheel from the rail to the ballast. In addition, a minimum of 50 % of the cross-sectional area is hollow to permit containment of the following devices and/or systems for example: — switch and crossing actuation, detection and locking (in the case of bearers); — wheel detection; — rods, bars, cables, pipes, etc. A sufficient space for maintenance of these devices and/or systems shall be considered. SIST EN 16431:2014
Hollow sleepers in track shall fulfil the following additional requirements: — the maximum top width shall not exceed 350 mm (see Figure 1); — the length of the hollow sleeper shall be the same as neighbouring sleepers. SIST EN 16431:2014
Key a Maximum
top width b maximum
bottom width c flat part of the bottom Figure 1 – Dimensions of hollow sleeper or bearer 4.4 Design requirements Cover plates on both end faces and on the top of the hollow sleepers and bearers shall be installed to prevent ballast penetration. Cover plates shall also be designed to withstand aerodynamic effects. If there are two (or more) consecutive hollow sleepers or bearers, the lateral track resistance shall be considered. If an USP is used, the USP shall be fixed on flat part of bottom area. The connection between USP and the bottom of the hollow sleeper or bearer shall be verified on the principle of the relevant USP standard (pull off test). Sufficient drainage shall be incorporated in to the design. Hollow bearers shall be designed to ensure that the normal operation of actuation, locking and detection equipment is not adversely affected by temperature, ice formation, snow or water penetration. 4.5 Materials Meta
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