Kansas State University engineers are working on a new technology to monitor rail stress in continuously welded steel railroad tracks without physical contact. Professor B. Terry Beck secured a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the project, which involves collaboration with civil engineering professor Robert J. Peterman, engineering director John Bloomfield from K-State’s Technology Development Institute, and BNSF Railway. Mechanical engineering graduate student Veeshal Modi is also part of the team.
The project aims to address the crucial issue of detecting rail stress to prevent derailments caused by extreme temperatures. Hot weather can lead to track buckling from compressive stress, while cold temperatures can cause rail fractures from tensile stress, both of which are exacerbated under the weight of trains.
Currently, there is no reliable non-contact method for monitoring rail stress, making this project a significant step forward in railway safety. By using advanced strain-measurement technology to track rail displacement and temperature, the team hopes to improve safety measures in the industry. The method will be tested in a lab and then undergo field trials with BNSF Railway, potentially providing a breakthrough solution for the railroad sector.
This innovative project highlights Kansas State University’s commitment to research and development in engineering to make transportation systems safer and more reliable. With the support of the U.S. Department of Transportation and collaboration with industry partners, the university is pushing the boundaries of technology to enhance railway safety.
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