This part of EN 13230 defines technical criteria and control procedures which have to be satisfied by the
constituent materials and the finished concrete sleepers and bearers, i.e.: precast concrete sleepers, bearers
for switches and crossings, and special elements for railway tracks.
The main requirement of concrete sleepers and bearers is the transmission of vertical, lateral and longitudinal
loads from the rails to the ballast or other support. In use they are also exposed to frost damage and to
moisture, which can result in detrimental chemical reactions within the sleeper.
In this standard mechanical tests are defined which provide assurance of the capability of sleepers or bearers
to resist repetitive loading and provide sufficient durability. In addition controls are placed on manufacturing
processes and tests to ensure that the concrete will not suffer degradation in service through chemical
reaction and frost damage.