THE NETHERLANDSSPANBETON B.V.Hoogewaard 207 / 209NL - 2 396 AS Koudekerk a/d RijnThe NetherlandsTel: +31 (0)71 342 02 00Email: info@spanbeton.nl www.spanbeton.nl

NORWAYSPENNCON RAIL ASHensmoveien 98NO - 3516 HønefossNorwayTel: +47 452 01 228www.spennconrail.no

POLANDWPSWytwórnia Podkładów Strunobetonowych S.A. Mirosław Ujski 51 - 64 850 UjściePolandTel: +48 67 28 40 340www.wps-sa.com.pl

PORTUGALSATEPOREdifi cio Coopali - Rua José Afonso 4-C, 1°PT-1600-130 Lisbon - (São Domingos de Benfi ca)PortugalTel: +351 217 200 670

SERBIARAJ SCHWELLEN28, Octobra 6613 320 Velika PlanaSerbiaTel: +381 (0)26 515 140www.rajschwellen.rs

SWEDENSTRÄNGBETONG RAIL ABSvärdvägen 29SE - 182 33 DanderydSwedenTel: +46 (0)8 615 82 00www.strangbetongrail.se

UKSBC RAILLittlewell Lane - Stanton-by-Dale Ilkestone, DerbyshireDE74QW, United KingdomTel: +44 (0)115 944 1448Email: info@stanton-bonna.co.ukwww.stanton-bonna.co.uk

Moving Towards Predictive Maintenance

SMART SLEEPER®

The SMART SLEEPER® is an innovative solution that monitors its behaviour when subjected to rolling stock.

Developed by CONSOLIS’ French rail subsidiary Sateba and a partner specialised in long-term monitoring for civil infrastructure, the SMART SLEEPER® is a normal precast sleeper with optical sensors integrating Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG), placed in the concrete during production.

The solution provides railway operators with a better understanding of track, with the aim of reducing overall maintenance costs.

SMART SLEEPER® A concrete sleeper with highly-accurate, integrated sensors

Fiber Bragg Grating sensorsThe FBG sensors provide real-time measurement of the sleeper's distortion.

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CONSOLISTour Europe - La Défense33, place des Corolles92400 Courbevoie - FranceTel: +33 (0)1 46 53 24 00www.consolis.com

BRAZILCONSOLIS BRAZILRua Coronel Oscar Porto,736, Sala 12B04003-004 São PauloBrazilTel: +55 (11) 32 63 08 26

ESTONIAAS SWETRAKEhitusbetooni, Roodevälja küla, Sõmeru vald, 44207 Lääne-Viru maakondEstoniaTel: +372 6 71 2500 Email: swetrak@swetrak.ltwww.swetrak.lt

FINLANDPARMA RAIL OYMurrontie 330420, ForssaFinlandTel: +358 20 577 5500www.parma.fi

FRANCESATEBATour Europe - La Défense33, place des Corolles92400 CourbevoieFranceTel: +33 (0)1 46 53 24 00www.sateba.com

GERMANYDW SCHWELLEN GmbHHeerdterbuschstrasse 8D- 41460 NeussGermanyTel: +49 (0)2131 / 186-0Email: info@dw-schellen.dewww.dw-schwellen.de

LITHUANIAUAB SWETRAKGamyklų str. 1 LT-68108 MarijampoleLithuaniaTel: +370 343 98712Email: swetrak@swetrak.ltwww.swetrak.lt

MOROCCOSATEBA MAROCImmeuble 1 - Zénith 1 - 1er ÉtageSidi Maarouf - 20 000 CasablancaMoroccoTel: +212 522 78 78 68

WORLDWIDE

Train acceleration

-150

-100

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Microstrain

Time (in seconds)

50

500 100 150 200

100

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200

The real-time measurements provide critical data on the mechanical behaviour of the sleeper, enabling insights into:

• How the sleeper lies on the ballast

• Impact of rolling stock speed and weight

• Effect of the stiffness of Under Sleeper Pads (USP)

• Effect of different fastening systems

• Effect of maintenance on track behaviour.

Elements such as temperature (ballast freezing, under sleeper pad stiffening in cold weather, etc.) and maintenance (before and after tamping, before and after rail milling, etc.) can impact the mechanical behaviour of a sleeper.

The monitoring technology used for a SMART SLEEPER® has been in use for 25 years, making it a durable solution for collecting and comparing data over time. The gradual evolution of the sleeper's distortion will provide insights into overall wear, the bearing capacity of the sleepers, sloping, and the effect of maintenance operations.

This will ultimately facilitate the move towards predictive maintenance, reducing the need for costly preventive and corrective maintenance operations.

The sensors are designed to perform accurate and durable monitoring whatever the conditions:

• With high-traffi c loads

• In the presence of electromagnetic fi elds

• During track maintenance.

Fiber Bragg Grating technology is a popular choice for optical fiber sensors for strain and temperature measurements, due to the long-term sensing capacity and strong refl ected signal.

• DURABLEThe sensors are set in the concrete sleeper. Protected for the sleeper’s entire lifespan, the sensors are resistant to high and low temperatures, shocks, and vibrations. The cables and connecting components are also robust and resistant.

• UNOBTRUSIVEThe sensors are unobtrusive (<0.05%) and do not affect the track’s mechanical properties.

• RELIABLEThe sensors use fiber optics, a technology used successfully for many years in other industries, such oil and gas, construction and healthcare.

• HIGH-QUALITY MEASUREMENTSThe measurements are accurate, reliable, linear and repeatable. The same quality is achieved whether the measurement is static or dynamic.

• MULTIPLEXINGThe technology allows for a single fi bre to carry information from several sensors.

• DISTANCEThe technology used enables data transmission over relatively long distances (up to 20 km).

A SMART SLEEPER® can be used on any line such as high-speed, main, heavy haul or urban. It can be used in different track confi gurations such as level crossings, tight curves and transition zones (ballasted to slab track).

LONG-TERM MONITORINGREAL-TIME MEASUREMENTS

FIBRE BRAGG GRATING SENSORS

Moving towards predictive maintenance

Insights into sleeper behaviour

Applications

SMART SLEEPERS® have already been installed on both high-speed (East European, South Europe Atlantic) and main lines in France, and the technology is currently being installed on bearers for switches and crossings.

The sensors are placed at the centre and rail seat sections.