Lightweight and Low-Cost Composite beams for Rolling Stock Applications
Lead Participant:
FAR-UK LTD
Abstract
This project will establish the potential application of a cost-effective composite beam to address the need for
lightweight structures in the rail industry. The composite beam moves away from traditional high-waste
composite solutions and is an alternative to metal components currently used in the rail sector. It will offer a
new way of designing car bodies and bogies and flexibility in the dimensions of the beam along its length, width
and height, supporting end-users’ needs. To demonstrate the possibility of using such beams for rolling stock, it
is essential to determine the performance of the composite structure in extreme conditions. The LoCoBeaSt
consortium is led by Far-UK Ltd, who has developed a patented composite beam technology called Axontex™,
and has WMG as an academic partner who will share its expertise in high-load and environmental testing. The
main project output will be a small-scale demonstrator verifying that a low-waste and affordable composite
beam can sustain extreme conditions and therefore be a new disruptive solution for the rail industry.
lightweight structures in the rail industry. The composite beam moves away from traditional high-waste
composite solutions and is an alternative to metal components currently used in the rail sector. It will offer a
new way of designing car bodies and bogies and flexibility in the dimensions of the beam along its length, width
and height, supporting end-users’ needs. To demonstrate the possibility of using such beams for rolling stock, it
is essential to determine the performance of the composite structure in extreme conditions. The LoCoBeaSt
consortium is led by Far-UK Ltd, who has developed a patented composite beam technology called Axontex™,
and has WMG as an academic partner who will share its expertise in high-load and environmental testing. The
main project output will be a small-scale demonstrator verifying that a low-waste and affordable composite
beam can sustain extreme conditions and therefore be a new disruptive solution for the rail industry.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
FAR-UK LTD | £104,987 | £ 73,491 |
  | ||
Participant |
||
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK | £45,000 | £ 45,000 |
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK |
People |
ORCID iD |
Kevin Lindsey (Project Manager) |