| NuRail Project ID | NURail2012-UIC-R05 |
| Project Title | Integrated Dynamic Modeling of Rail Vehicles and Infrastructure |
| University | UIC |
| Principal Investigator | Shabana |
| PI Contact Information | Phone: (312) 996-3449 Email: shabana@uic.edu |
| Funding Source(s) and Amounts Provided (by each agency or organization) | $76,666 UIC in-kind; $76,666 USDOT RITA |
| Total Project Cost | $153,332 |
| Agency ID or Contract Number | DTRT12-G-UTC18 |
| Start Date | 5/1/2012 |
| End Date | 1/31/2014 |
| Brief Description of Research Project | University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC) Mechanical Engineering has developed new nonlinear railroad vehicle dynamic and wheel/rail contact models (A. Shabana). The aim of the proposed synergistic research, which includes three discreet phases or tasks, is to add models of the rail track and foundation to the existing vehicle dynamics and wheel/rail contact models to achieve Integration of Track Foundation Modeling with Rail Vehicle Dynamics (Phase 1), and then to use this integrated model to study the Effect of High Speed Vibrations on Track Substructure and Foundation (Phase 2) and Modeling Concrete Crossties and Fastening Systems for Dynamic Track Structure Simulation (Phase 3). The primary motivation is safety, because various weather conditions and degradation can affect the track foundation, which can in turn affect track movement and vehicle stability. The aim is a new, holistic simulation of the mechanics of the entire railroad system, from the vehicle dynamic system to the track, railroad tie, and foundation system. Combined use of a realistic finite element method finite element method (FEM) model (C. Foster, UIC) and the discrete element method (DEM) (E. Tutumluer, UIUC) to model the railroad infrastructure subgrade and track foundation will be explored as interdisciplinary advancement to quantify the track response to the vehicle in motion. Advanced visualization of the dynamic response of the entire vehicle and infrastructure system (J. Leigh, UIC) will make the results of this research accessible not only to design engineers but also to public planners and policy analysts. |
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| Web Links | Click HERE |
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