Grouting crane rails

The mechanics of rail behaviour under load from cranes and trains needs to be understood and Weber have provided solutions in this field for over 30 years. A wide range of specialist grouts are available that can resist the high dynamic loads and provide durable long term effective use. Ultra rapid setting grouts for repairs and reinstatement have also been developed.

There is no generally accepted international specification for the installation of rails and their bearings. Installation procedures are usually recommended by the manufacturers of the rail and plate systems. The bearing grout should provide: flat, uniform, and void-free bearing surface; resistance to dynamic loads into the base material; adequate absorption of imposed loads; and transmission of bearing loads into the base material.

Common issues and queries you can face

Choosing the right grout for crane rails

Choosing the right grout

The selection of a suitable rail bearing grout depends on the engineer's calculations of loading, the size and type of bearing, gap size and grouting method. Using inferior grouts can have serious repercussions on safety and the cost of remediation can considerably outweigh the initial short-term cost benefits.

Slow flow of grout under the baseplate – grouting crane rails

Slow flow of grout under the baseplate

Rail operators need to replace equipment quickly and contractors rely on speed of installation. A grout with poor flow will slow down the process. Some inferior epoxy grouts are cut back with diluents to improve flow but this can lead to excess shrinkage and loss of EBA. Weber grouts have been developed to give faster flow even in the colder weather without undesirable side-effects.

Loss of bond/adhesion  to the baseplate – grouting crane rails

Loss of bond/adhesion to the baseplate

Bolts can shear if the grout loses contact with the underside of the bearing plate or the base, and the bearing is allowed to slide. Bolt shear can also be caused by the bolt not being strong enough, by flexure of the grout or by inadequate design for all types of imposed load.

Cracks in the grout around the baseplate – grouting crane rails

Cracks in the grout around the baseplate

Cement grouts rely on expansion to provide the non-shrink properties required of a precision bearing grout. This cracking is often seen where a cement grout has not been finished flush to the sides of the bearing. Epoxy grouts are not affected as much as they have low inherent shrinkage. However, all types of grout can be affected by premature stressing of the holding down bolts before the grout has had time to cure. This is especially so in colder weather, cracks can then be seen emanating from corners around the bolt area.