Syllabus academic year 2011/2012
(Created 2011-09-01.)
TRACK AND PERMANENT WAY FOR ENGINEERSVTVA35
Credits: 9. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: G1 (First Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. VTVA35 overlaps following cours/es: VVB662. Compulsory for: IBYI2. Course coordinator: Ebrahim Parhamifar, Ebrahim.Parhamifar@tft.lth.se and Jerker Sundström, Järnvägsskolan, jerker.sundstrom@trafikverket.se, Traffic and Roads. Prerequisites: VTVA20 väg och järnvägsteknik. Assessment: Satisfactory written exam. Satisfactory individual technical report on results of a geometric dimensioning problem. Further information: The course is held at Järnvägsskolan in Ängelholm. Home page: http://www.tft.lth.se/utbildning/grundutbildning/.

Aim
The aim of the course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of track and permanent way on both system and component levels. It also intends to provide an insight into track and permanent way problems in projection, building and maintenance.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be able to give an account of track and permanent way installations in terms of construction, design and function

be able to give an account of the forces that arise in a railway and how they arise and are dealt with

be able to give an account of the method and principles by means of which track and permanent way installations are maintained, and understand the importance of well functioning maintenance.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to give an account of the fundamental concepts of rail geometrics and dimension and apply geometrics according to the rules and norms

Be able to implement a mathematical optimisation of a rail line

Give an account of a solution to a geometric dimensioning problem in a technical report

Contents
The course contains sections centred around the railway’s superstructure and substructure, detailed parts and how these interact in a system.

The track geometry and inspection of the track geometry are also dealt with thoroughly, the focus being on what characterises ”good” geometry.

The projection, building and maintenance phases are emphasised. Particular interest is also shown in the operation and maintenance of track and permanent way installations, including the relevant maintenance machines and tools.

The section surfaces between track and permanent way and adjoining technical areas (electric, signalling and telecommunications) are focused on to give a comprehensive picture of the whole railway system.

Basic geology and soil characteristics

Common geotechnical test methods

Geotechnical investigations during the planning phase and ongoing work

Teaching/learning is individual and in groups. Lectures are alternated with practical exercises at the Railway Training Centre.

Literature
Järnvägsskolans kurspärm ”Banteknik för ingenjörer”.
Corshammar, Pelle: Perfect Track