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Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical and Vibrational Properties of a Fibreglass and Polyester Resin Composite for use in Railway Sleepers

Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical and Vibrational Properties of a Fibreglass and Polyester Resin Composite for use in Railway Sleepers
	© 2023 by IJETT Journal
	Volume-71 Issue-2
	Year of Publication : 2023
	Author : Mbatha Abednigo Jabu, AA Alugongo, O Maube, NZ Nkomo
	DOI : 10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V71I2P209

How to Cite?

Mbatha Abednigo Jabu, AA Alugongo, O Maube, NZ Nkomo, "Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical and Vibrational Properties of a Fibreglass and Polyester Resin Composite for use in Railway Sleepers," International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 71-77, 2023. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V71I2P209

Abstract
Fibreglass-reinforced composites have been used in varied applications due to their high mechanical strength. The purpose of this work was to improve railway sleeper structural strength that frequently fails due to heavily loaded trains in the railway industry. Using composite materials in these sleepers can improve their mechanical properties significantly, hence the sleeper's durability. The experiment design followed in the fabrication of the composite in this study consisted of varying the fibreglass volume fraction between 5 and 8%. The composite tensile strength, compression strength, flexural strength and hardness were then ascertained. The experimental results showed that the fabricated composite had a maximum tensile and flexural strength at 8 % fibre content of 12.13 MPa and 42.658 MPa, respectively. The highest compression strength achieved was 55.164 MPa at 8% fibre loading. The maximum flexural was realized at 8% fibre content giving a strength of value. The maximum hardness was 745 Leeb at 7% fibre content. The vibration damping increased from 0.050 to 0.089, with the increase of fibreglass from 5 to 8 %. There is still a need for further research into the use of alternative resins in order to come up with optimized composite sleepers that have enhanced durability and mechanical strength.

Keywords
Composites, Fibreglass, Mechanical properties, Railway sleeper.

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