Superseded by T HR CI 12029 SP v1.
0, 26/07/2019
Engineering Specification
Structures
Engineering Specification
SPC 311
TIMBER TRANSOMS
Version 1.2
Issued December 2009
Owner: Chief Engineer Civil
Approved by: John Stapleton Authorised by: Richard Hitch
Group Leader Standards Chief Engineer Civil
Civil
Disclaimer
This document was prepared for use on the RailCorp Network only.
RailCorp makes no warranties, express or implied, that compliance with the contents of this document shall be
sufficient to ensure safe systems or work or operation. It is the document user’s sole responsibility to ensure that the
copy of the document it is viewing is the current version of the document as in use by RailCorp.
RailCorp accepts no liability whatsoever in relation to the use of this document by any party, and RailCorp excludes
any liability which arises in any manner by the use of this document.
Copyright
The information in this document is protected by Copyright and no part of this document may be reproduced, altered,
stored or transmitted by any person without the prior consent of RailCorp
UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED Page 1 of 5
Superseded by T HR CI 12029 SP v1.0, 26/07/2019 RailCorp Engineering Specification — Structures
Timber Transoms SPC 311
Document control
Revision Date of Approval Summary of change
1.2 December, 2009 Changes detailed in Summary table below
1.1 December, 2008 Clarification of requirements for inspection and end treatment
1.0 September, 2006 First issue as a RailCorp document. Includes content from C 3108
Summary of changes from previous version
Section Summary of change
Document Change of format for front page, change history and table of contents
Control
All Minor editing and formatting.
Contents
1 Scope and Application............................................................................................................................. 3
2 References ................................................................................................................................................ 3
2.1 Australian and International Standards ......................................................................................... 3
2.2 RailCorp Documents ..................................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Other References .......................................................................................................................... 3
3 Definitions ................................................................................................................................................. 3
4 Timber Transoms ..................................................................................................................................... 3
4.1 General Requirements .................................................................................................................. 3
4.2 Specific Requirements................................................................................................................... 3
© Rail Corporation Page 2 of 5
Issued December 2009 UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED Version 1.2
Superseded by T HR CI 12029 SP v1.0, 26/07/2019 RailCorp Engineering Specification — Structures
Timber Transoms SPC 311
1 Scope and Application
This specification details the material specification for the provision of new timber transoms.
It is applicable for all timber transoms used by RailCorp to meet the requirements of RailCorp
Standard ESC 310 – Underbridges, Section 15 Transoms.
2 References
2.1 Australian and International Standards
AS 1720.1 – 1997 “Timber structures – Design methods”
AS 3818.1 – 2003 “Timber – Heavy structural products – Visually graded, Part 1: General
requirements”
AS 3818.2 - 2004 “Timber – Heavy structural products – Visually graded, Part 2: Railway
track timbers”
2.2 RailCorp Documents
ESC 310 “Underbridges”
2.3 Other References
Nil
3 Definitions
For the purpose of this document, the definitions in AS 3818.1 apply.
4 Timber Transoms
4.1 General Requirements
All transoms shall meet the requirements of AS 3818.2 “Timber – Heavy structural products –
Visually graded, Part 2: Railway track timbers” - Bridge Transoms (Clause 13).
4.2 Specific Requirements
4.2.1 Timber Species
Timber bridge transom species shall be in accordance with the following table:
Group Common Name Scientific Name
Group 1 Ironbark Grey E. Siderophloia
Ironbark Grey E. Paniculata
Ironbark Grey E. Drepanophylla
Ironbark Red (Broad Leaved) E. Fibrosa
Iron Bark Red (Narrow Leaved) E. Crebra
Ironbark Red E. Sideroxylon
© Rail Corporation Page 3 of 5
Issued December 2009 UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED Version 1.2
Superseded by T HR CI 12029 SP v1.0, 26/07/2019 RailCorp Engineering Specification — Structures
Timber Transoms SPC 311
Group Common Name Scientific Name
Group 2 Tallow Wood E. Microcorys
Box Grey E. Microcarpa
Box Grey E. Moluccana
Gum Grey E. Punctata
Gum Grey E. Propinqua
Mahogany White E. Acmeniodies
4.2.2 Timber Size
Transom sizes are to be as nominated by the designer.
Transoms are to be 250mm wide and have a minimum length of 2800mm.
The thickness of transoms shall comply with the design requirements in ESC 310.
The minimum thickness is in the range 170mm to 220mm, based on a stress grade of F22 and joint
strength of J1.
Adjustments to the above minimum thicknesses are to be made if different stress grades and joint
strengths of timber are used.
The dimensional tolerances shall be in accordance with the following table:
Dimension Acceptance
Tolerance (mm)
Length + 50 - 0
Width + 25 - 0
Depth + 10 - 0
Transoms should be individually machined to the specific requirements of the bridge. Square cut
notching over the girder seating is not permitted, as this has been shown to induce very high
concentrated stresses.
4.2.3 Marking of Timber Bridge Transoms
All approved timbers shall be marked on one end in accordance with the following table:
Cross Section (mm) Mark
250 x 150 Length Only
250 x 170 Vertical stripe - length
250 x 180 B – length
250 x 200 D – length
Group 1 timbers are marked in white paint.
Group 2 timbers are marked in red paint.
All timbers shall be branded with the supplier’s personal brand.
© Rail Corporation Page 4 of 5
Issued December 2009 UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED Version 1.2
Superseded by T HR CI 12029 SP v1.0, 26/07/2019 RailCorp Engineering Specification — Structures
Timber Transoms SPC 311
4.2.4 Approval of Transoms
All timber transoms shall be inspected and passed by a State Forests Timber Inspector prior to
delivery for use on RailCorp tracks. Transoms shall not be coated before inspection.
All approved transoms shall be branded with a mark identifying the Inspector. The brand is to be
clearly legible and located on the top face approximately 150mm from one end, and/or on the end
grain section.
4.2.5 End Treatment
After inspection a single coat of clear timber sealant shall be applied thickly to the ends of the
transoms. This process shall not obscure the natural features of the timber. The sealant to be
used shall be Caltex “Timber Sealer”, Product Code 1101, or equivalent.
© Rail Corporation Page 5 of 5
Issued December 2009 UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED Version 1.2
