Experimental Determination of Track Friction Coefficients

It is well-known that aging track structure is one commonplace causal factor in train derailments. Furthermore, track buckling is observed to be more likely in older track. As described in their companion proposal, the research team is developing a computational track buckling model for deployment by U.S. Railroad Companies as a tool for predicting track buckling. Over the course of the previous year, the team has focused much of their attention on predicting the effects of both longitudinal and lateral crosstie-aggregate interfacial friction on rail buckling. The team has shown that their model is capable of performing these friction-dependent predictions, but these predictions were made based on a very limited set of experimentally determined friction values. The team therefore proposes to set about the task of determining these complex material properties for a wide range of track structural materials. Obtaining these properties will then allow the team to refine predictive capabilities considerably.

• Record URL:
  https://www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety/_files/documents/research/infrastructure/exhibit-d_utcrs_tamu_track_friction_coeffficients_cordes_2024.pdf
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Partners and collaborators for this project include University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), BNSF, and MxV Rail.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $84602
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348340

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135
• Managing Organizations:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135
• Project Managers:

  Stearns, Amy

• Performing Organizations:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135
• Principal Investigators:

  Cordes, Roger

  Allen, David

• Start Date: 20240601
• Expected Completion Date: 20250831
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Friction; Railroad rails; Railroad safety; Railroad tracks; Structural materials
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01924826
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University Transportation Center for Railway Safety
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348340
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 21 2024 11:08AM