This document defines technical criteria and control procedures which need to be satisfied by the constituent materials and the finished concrete sleepers and bearers, i.e. precast concrete sleepers, twin-block reinforced sleepers, bearers for switches and crossings, and special elements for railway tracks.

This document defines mechanical tests which provide assurance of the capability of sleepers or bearers to resist repetitive loading and provide sufficient durability. In addition, it places controls on manufacturing processes and tests to ensure that the concrete will not suffer degradation in service through chemical reaction and frost damage.