ricpd

Rail Infrastructure

Course Leader: Dr Francis Franklin
Semester: 2
Course Duration: 2 weeks
Credit Value: 10 CATS (5 ECTS)
Course fee: £1125

Aims

  • Introduction to railway infrastructure and the problems arising at the interface between track and vehicles.

Outline of Syllabus

  • Introduction to railway infrastructure elements for professional skills;
  • Introduction to wheel-rail contact analysis and damage;
  • Introduction to noise, curve squeal, low adhesion, derailment, and other operational problems;
  • Optimising maintenance strategies.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

  • Awareness of the constraints on and imposed by railway infrastructure.
  • Knowledge of the different components of track infrastructure.
  • Understanding the importance and sensitivity of the vehicle-track interface.

Intended Skill Outcomes

  • The ability to solve railway infrastructure related problems.
  • The ability to master wheel-rail geometry and contact, and to use Hertz theory to calculate peak contact pressure.
  • To master the process of how wheel and rail steels respond to the applied loads, and how cracks develop.

Teaching methods

  • Lectures;
  • Small group teaching;
  • Independent study.

Assessment methods

  • Written examination (70%)
  • Report (30%)