1. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Developing an Expedited Bridge Tie
Replacement Methodology
Anderson & Associates, Inc.
Blacksburg, Virginia

2. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Open-Deck Railroad Bridges
• Bridge ties rest directly atop
superstructure
• Affixed via notches, or Daps
• Regular tie replacement (5-10 year
cycle)
• Each tie is unique, re: daps required
& size
• Curved bridges more complex

3. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Examples of Open-Deck Bridges
Tangent Curved
(Usually with superelevation)

4. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Background:
Traditional method:
• Survey structure: general line, grade, dimensions
• Superstructure details gathered
• Data provided to Bridge Office
• Ties calculated and configured, “typically”
• Information relayed back to field, corrected,
• Returned to Bridge, adjusted (repeat as needed…)
• Tie table generated & sent to manufacturer
• Ties shipped and installed

5. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
A & A approached by NS to find a ‘better’/more automated
way to calculate bridge-tie daps:
• More efficient (automated, accurate, effective)
• Universal: tangent or curved
• Also, provide depth of experience as experts retire from the
railroad.
A Better Way

6. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Data Collection
Process/Draw Bridge
Out of Tolerance?
Advise Owner for
Plan of Action
Dimension Ties And Create Dimension Chart
Tie Size Adjusted
To Meet Current
Bridge Status
Create Tie Plan And CNC Drawings
Check Plan & Profile of Bridge
Tie Size & Placement
Cross Sections

7. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Data Collection
Process/Draw Bridge
Out of Tolerance?
Advise Owner for
Plan of Action
Dimension Ties And Create Dimension Chart
Tie Size Adjusted
To Meet Current
Bridge Status
Create Tie Plan And CNC Drawings
Check Plan & Profile of Bridge
Tie Size & Placement
Cross Sections

8. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
• Review existing/available
shop drawings
• Acquire details of repairs
• Determine what needs to
be located, and
• What can be drawn from
plans
Survey Strategy:

9. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
• Coordinate with railroad
• Dates/times
• Track time is gold!
• Survey structure:
• Tie/superstructure interface
• Centerline, grade,
• Backwall-to-backwall
• Height/weight of rail
• Any detail re: tie daps
• Extend survey 500’ past
bridge abutments
Collect Field Measurements

10. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Another Important Tool
TIE DECK SURVEY CHECKLIST
Bridge No. ________________________ Mile Post __________________________
No. of Spans _________________________________________________________
Val Map No. _________________________ Track ___________________________
Bridge Over:
Creek: ____________________
Road: ____________________
Other: ____________________
Bench Mark Elevation _________________ Assumed ________________________
Description __________________________________________________________
Alignment:
Tangent: Yes or No _____________
Curve: Yes or No ________________ Direction: ______________________________
Spiral: Yes or No _________________
Girders per Span:
1) __________________________ Top Flange Width ________________________
2) __________________________ Top Flange Width ________________________
3) __________________________ Top Flange Width ________________________
4) __________________________ Top Flange Width ________________________
5) __________________________ Top Flange Width ________________________
6) __________________________ Top Flange Width ________________________
7) __________________________ Top Flange Width ________________________
8) __________________________ Top Flange Width ________________________
Size of Rail _________________________________________________________
Size of Existing Ties _________________________________________________
Check for daps and odd dimensions
Size of Tie Plates ____________________________________
No. of Ties per Span _________________________________________________
Average Tie Spacing _________________________________________________
Size of Back Wall Ties ________________________________________________
No. of Back Wall Ties ________________________________________________
Tie Spacer to CL Track _______________________________________________
* Does Hook Bolt Go Through Spacer: Yes or No
Raising Blocks: Yes or No Size: ______________________________
Location: __________________________
Any Long Ties: Yes or No Location: __________________________
Walkway: Yes or No Size: ______________________________
Location: __________________________
Safety Bays: Yes or No Size: ______________________________
Location: __________________________
SE in stringers or girders: Yes or No
Are the stringers or girders titled? Yes or No
Are the stringers or girders stepped? Yes or No
Is Bridge on a Skew? Yes or No
Locate face of back wall
Locate end of Girder to end of Girder each span
Locate TOR elevations 500’ min. from each end of bridge. Locate top of rail at
each end of each span
Locate top of Girders on each side of cover plates
Check for cover plate overhang
Is there a clearance issue? Yes or No ______________________________________
Locate any road crossings- switches, etc., in profile. Locate anything that might
affect proposed track raise
Locate gusset plates.
Locate all cross braces that would interfere with bottom of ties. Take plenty of
pictures and describe

11. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
• Gusset plate/connections
• Lateral bracing passages
Critical Features (typical)

12. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Data Collection
Process/Draw Bridge
Out of Tolerance?
Advise Owner for
Plan of Action
Dimension Ties And Create Dimension Chart
Tie Size Adjusted
To Meet Current
Bridge Status
Create Tie Plan And CNC Drawings
Check Plan & Profile of Bridge
Tie Size & Placement
Cross Sections

13. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Rail Alignment
& Tie Placement
Rail alignment (Green line)
used to place ties evenly
across each bridge span.

14. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Data Collection
Process/Draw Bridge
Out of Tolerance?
Advise Owner for
Plan of Action
Dimension Ties And Create Dimension Chart
Tie Size Adjusted
To Meet Current
Bridge Status
Create Tie Plan And CNC Drawings
Check Plan & Profile of BridgeCheck Plan & Profile of Bridge
Tie Size & Placement
Cross Sections

15. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Track C/L Profile
Track C/L located 500’ east and west of bridge abutments. Green lines
show bridge back wall locations. No dips or bumps in the profile.

16. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
• Girders, gusset
plates and lateral
steel applied to
each tie cross
section
• ¼” Tolerance built
into each edge of
girder
Tie Cross Section
With Survey Data Points (from CAD)

17. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
CAD Derived Tie Cross Section
Tie cross section showing the stringers and plates that
interfere with this tie. Stringers have ¼” tolerance on each
edge shown above.

18. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Data Collection
Process/Draw Bridge
Out of Tolerance?
Advise Owner for
Plan of Action
Dimension Ties And Create Dimension Chart
Tie Size Adjusted
To Meet Current
Bridge Status
Create Tie Plan And CNC Drawings
Check Plan & Profile of Bridge
Tie Size & Placement
(Cross Sections)

19. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Data Collection
Process/Draw Bridge
Out of Tolerance?
Advise Owner for
Plan of Action
Dimension Ties And Create Dimension Chart
Tie Size Adjusted
To Meet Current
Bridge Status
Create Tie Plan And CNC Drawings
Check Plan & Profile of Bridge
Tie Size & Placement
(Cross Sections)

20. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Tie Cross Section Legend

21. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Dimensioned Tie
• Green outline shows the 10” tie shape after daps are cut
• Data can be sent to CNC machine for tie framing
• Dimensions are placed in Excel™ for tie manufactures

22. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Data Collection
Process/Draw Bridge
Out of Tolerance?
Advise Owner for
Plan of Action
Dimension Ties And Create Dimension Chart
Tie Size Adjusted
To Meet Current
Bridge Status
Create Tie Plan And CNC Drawings
Check Plan & Profile of Bridge
Tie Size & Placement
(Cross Sections)

23. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Bridge-tie Table
Completed spreadsheet of ties & cuts

24. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Data Collection
Process/Draw Bridge
Out of Tolerance?
Advise Owner for
Plan of Action
Dimension Ties And Create Dimension Chart
Tie Size Adjusted
To Meet Current
Bridge Status
Create Tie Plan And CNC Drawings
Check Plan & Profile of Bridge
Tie Size & Placement
(Cross Sections)

25. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Finished Tie Plan

26. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
CNC Process

27. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Acknowledgements
• James N. Carter, Jr. – Norfolk Southern
• Jackson Owens – Norfolk Southern
• Alvin D. Young – CSXT
• Bill Bushman – Anderson & Associates
• Neil Martin – Anderson & Associates
• Joey Conrad – Anderson & Associates
• Steve Spillane – Anderson & Associates
• Mike Mascari – Anderson & Associates
• Chris Coffey - L & R Precision Tooling

28. A R E M A 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
Minneapolis, MN | October 4-7, 2015
Contact Information
Jason Williams, P.E.
Senior Project Manager
540.391.0277
williams@andassoc.com
Neil Martin, L.S.
Vice President of Survey
540.557.7171
martin@andassoc.com