Improving Rail Infrastructure: The Backbone of Sustainable Transport EngD
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
Due to its capacity and speed, rail transport is the ideal solution for environmentally friendly long distance travel and key in avoiding congestion in urban areas. The railway of the future needs to be safer, greener, and more durable. This means that the next generation of rail steels will need to last longer, requiring less maintenance and replacement, and offer an unsurpassed carbon footprint.
Current models for rail steel performance are based on outdated historic data, that have limited correlation with real in-service results. This research project will investigate the detailed mechanisms for rail wear and fatigue, and provide an improved model that highlights the optimum mechanics and metallurgy to enhance in-use characteristics of the rail. As such, this research aims to improve the long-term durability of rail steel by addressing rail steel chemistry and metallurgy, in addition to shedding a critical eye on aspects of installation and maintenance through more optimised asset management.
The research work encompassed within this project will be facilitated as part of the new £92m UK Rail Research Innovation Network (UKRRIN). A substantial proportion of the UKRRIN funding is dedicated to a state-of-the-art equipment set that will be key to the project's research deliverables. This equipment set will allow the researcher to develop ground- breaking new lab-based methodologies that will better match expected in-track conditions. This will ultimately allow for a more informed selection of new rail materials leading to more rapid development of stronger, more durable, quieter and more corrosion resistant rail.
In summary, this EngD provides:
A well-funded research project as part of a £92m UKRRIN network.
Deep-seated ties to a wider research program through the UKRRIN network. Excellent
networking opportunities.
Strong industrial ties through British Steel sponsorship.
Future proof your career as an integral part of the next generation, environmentally
friendly, transport infrastructure delivery.
Current models for rail steel performance are based on outdated historic data, that have limited correlation with real in-service results. This research project will investigate the detailed mechanisms for rail wear and fatigue, and provide an improved model that highlights the optimum mechanics and metallurgy to enhance in-use characteristics of the rail. As such, this research aims to improve the long-term durability of rail steel by addressing rail steel chemistry and metallurgy, in addition to shedding a critical eye on aspects of installation and maintenance through more optimised asset management.
The research work encompassed within this project will be facilitated as part of the new £92m UK Rail Research Innovation Network (UKRRIN). A substantial proportion of the UKRRIN funding is dedicated to a state-of-the-art equipment set that will be key to the project's research deliverables. This equipment set will allow the researcher to develop ground- breaking new lab-based methodologies that will better match expected in-track conditions. This will ultimately allow for a more informed selection of new rail materials leading to more rapid development of stronger, more durable, quieter and more corrosion resistant rail.
In summary, this EngD provides:
A well-funded research project as part of a £92m UKRRIN network.
Deep-seated ties to a wider research program through the UKRRIN network. Excellent
networking opportunities.
Strong industrial ties through British Steel sponsorship.
Future proof your career as an integral part of the next generation, environmentally
friendly, transport infrastructure delivery.
People |
ORCID iD |
| David Fletcher (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Adam Wilby (Student) |
| Description | London Underground HP335 Vertical Crack Investigation |
| Organisation | British Steel |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Conducted optical and scanning electron microscopy and hardness testing on the samples extracted from used rail sections provided by London Underground to investigate the vertical crack problem in these rail sections. In addition, conducted a simulation study to understand how the relatively shallow layer of plastic deformation on the rail surface formed. |
| Collaborator Contribution | London Underground provided a couple of short sections of used HP335 rail that came out of service from the London Underground rail network. Furthermore both London Underground and British Steel provided access to technical reports on previous investigations conducted to investigate the vertical crack problem in HP335 rail steel. |
| Impact | Provided British Steel and London Underground with extra evidence of the vertical RCF crack problem in HP335 to help them understand develop a better understanding for why these unusual RCF crack are occurring so that both British Steel and London Underground can make changes to help to minimise this problem occurring. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | London Underground HP335 Vertical Crack Investigation |
| Organisation | Transport for London |
| Department | London Underground |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Conducted optical and scanning electron microscopy and hardness testing on the samples extracted from used rail sections provided by London Underground to investigate the vertical crack problem in these rail sections. In addition, conducted a simulation study to understand how the relatively shallow layer of plastic deformation on the rail surface formed. |
| Collaborator Contribution | London Underground provided a couple of short sections of used HP335 rail that came out of service from the London Underground rail network. Furthermore both London Underground and British Steel provided access to technical reports on previous investigations conducted to investigate the vertical crack problem in HP335 rail steel. |
| Impact | Provided British Steel and London Underground with extra evidence of the vertical RCF crack problem in HP335 to help them understand develop a better understanding for why these unusual RCF crack are occurring so that both British Steel and London Underground can make changes to help to minimise this problem occurring. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | WRLM Cyclic Testing of Rail Steel Project |
| Organisation | University of Huddersfield |
| Department | School of Computing and Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I've conducted micro hardness testing to generate hardness maps from the 7 thin lateral railhead slice samples provided by Samuel Hawksbee from the University of Huddersfield for this project. I've also started conducted twin-disc tests on the SUROS 2 twin-disc at the University of Sheffield using the 24 twin-disc samples also provided by Samuel Hawksbee to gather shear stress-strain curve and the rate of strain accumulation data for rail steel from twin-disc tests. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Samuel Hawksbee from the University of Huddersfield provided 24 twin-disc test samples and 7 thin lateral railhead slice samples of different rail steel grade for the purpose of this collaboration project. |
| Impact | I've generated railhead hardness map for 7 different rail steel grades to understand the hardness variation of different as-rolled rail steel grades for the purpose of aiding me and Samuel Hawksbee understand the best way of extracting test samples from different rail steel grades. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | WRLM Cyclic Testing of Rail Steel Project |
| Organisation | University of Huddersfield |
| Department | School of Computing and Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I've conducted micro hardness testing to generate hardness maps from the 7 thin lateral railhead slice samples provided by Samuel Hawksbee from the University of Huddersfield for this project. I've also started conducted twin-disc tests on the SUROS 2 twin-disc at the University of Sheffield using the 24 twin-disc samples also provided by Samuel Hawksbee to gather shear stress-strain curve and the rate of strain accumulation data for rail steel from twin-disc tests. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Samuel Hawksbee from the University of Huddersfield provided 24 twin-disc test samples and 7 thin lateral railhead slice samples of different rail steel grade for the purpose of this collaboration project. |
| Impact | I've generated railhead hardness map for 7 different rail steel grades to understand the hardness variation of different as-rolled rail steel grades for the purpose of aiding me and Samuel Hawksbee understand the best way of extracting test samples from different rail steel grades. |
| Start Year | 2019 |