| NuRail Project ID | NURail2018-UIUC-R22 |
| Project Title | Advanced Study of Resilient Materials: Effects on Track Stability, Crosstie Bending Moments, and Impact Attenuation |
| University | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| Project Manager | Riley Edwards |
| Principal Investigator | Marcus Dersch |
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| Funding Source(s) and Amounts Provided (by each agency or organization) | |
| Total Project Cost | $ |
| Agency ID or Contract Number | DTRT13-G-UTC52 (Grant 2) |
| Start Date | 2018-08-16 |
| End Date | 2019-12-31 |
| Location | |
| Brief Description of Research Project | Resilient materials (under tie pads (UTPs), under ballast mats, and rail pads) provide a solution for railroads to enhance the efficiency of their operations by decreasing maintenance costs and efforts. UTPs specifically provide a means to minimize ballast breakage, crosstie abrasion, and unwanted settlement by reducing the stress state at the interface between crossties and ballast. Usage of UTPs has grown across the world as benefits of their installation have been realized. The primary objective of this research project is to explore how UTPs affect the safety and efficiency of railroad infrastructure. Through a series of laboratory tests, this project will explore advanced concepts related to UTP usage, including how these products affect track stability, bending moments on concrete crossties, and the attenuation of impact loads. This research will enable a greater understanding of UTP products and their effect on the crosstie/ballast interface. The consequent findings will enable railroads and suppliers to improve UTP products for usage in freight railroad applications and target UTP installation to maximize their effectiveness. |
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| Completed | no |
| Final Report | |