At 10:00 on June 24, the Central Meteorological Station issued a red warning for rainstorm. It is expected that by June 30, there will be persistent heavy rainfall in the north of Jiangnan, east and south of Jianghan, Jianghuai, Guizhou, Guangxi and other places. In the face of flood disaster, railway engineers often have to face a difficult challenge: which kind of wood is used to make anti-corrosion sleepers, which will remain as stable as Mount Tai in the continuous flood disaster of rainstorm. This is an issue that cannot be ignored, as the stability of sleepers directly affects the safety and operational efficiency of railways.
Pine is known for its lightness and wide availability. One of the characteristics of pine is its relatively low density, which makes it exceptionally convenient for processing and transportation. However, in the face of floods, the lightness of pine may also be its weakness. When surging floods sweep over, pine sleepers may become fragile due to their low density, easily absorbing moisture, and expanding and cracking. This not only weakens its own structural strength, but may also affect the stability of the track, leading to a significant discount in the operational efficiency of the railway system.
Nevertheless, pine is not unusable. In recent years, with the advancement of anti-corrosion technology, the anti-corrosion performance of pine has been significantly improved. By using modern anti-corrosion technology, the water resistance and corrosion resistance of pine have been effectively enhanced. Anti corrosion oil can penetrate deep into the interior of wood through high-temperature and high-pressure processing, combine with wood fibers, and form a strong barrier to prevent moisture and bacteria from entering. Therefore, pine trees that have undergone anti-corrosion treatment can to some extent maintain their structural integrity in flood disasters.
But compared to pine, oak appears more outstanding. Oak is known for its high density, high strength, and excellent corrosion resistance. The density of oak is usually more than twice that of pine, which makes it more stable in flood disasters. The high density of oak not only gives it stronger water resistance, but also makes it less prone to deformation when subjected to enormous external forces. Whether it's a flash flood or river flooding, oak can stand firm and protect the stable operation of the railway system.
After the same oil immersion anti-corrosion treatment as pine, oak made anti-corrosion sleepers have better anti-corrosion ability. This means that even if it is soaked in water for a long time in flood disasters, it can maintain its good condition and be free from the influence of water and various microorganisms.
Of course, this series of advantages of oak also brings corresponding cost increases. Compared to pine, oak is more expensive and requires more manpower and material support during transportation and construction due to its 50% -100% higher density. But in the long run, the stability and safety brought by oak far exceed the increase in cost, ensuring that the railway system can still operate reliably in adverse weather conditions.
When facing flood disasters, choosing appropriate wood to make anti-corrosion sleepers is directly related to the safety and durability of railways. By comparing the performance of pine and oak in flood disasters, it can be concluded that although pine has been treated with anti-corrosion to some extent, it still does not have the best stability due to its low density. Oak, with its high density, strength, and natural corrosion resistance, has become the best choice for dealing with flood disasters. Although oak has a relatively high cost, its safety and durability far outweigh the additional economic investment. Therefore, anti-corrosion sleepers made of oak are undoubtedly the best solution in flood disasters.
