COMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEMS

Since entire automobiles (Ford Motor Company), airplanes (Beech), and ships (Italian minehunters) have been fabricated from composites, there is little doubt that mass transit railcars could be designed and fabricated entirely from composite materials. This study explores the potential for using composite materials in urban mass transit systems and assesses their current and planned future utilization. The emphasis was to identify specific advantages of composite materials and determine their actual and potential usage for carbody and guideway structure applications. Although consideration has been given to structural use of composites in carbodies, little has been done to date, due to the perceived high cost of composites and the issues of flammability and toxicity. Both issues have been overcome as a result of research and development of composites for aircraft applications. Composites were found to be in use throughout the transit industry, usually in secondary/auxiliary applications. This study consisted of a literature review, contacts with domestic system operators, designers and builders, and analysis of potential composites application to railcar construction. The study identified fabrics based on advanced fibers (such as graphite or boron) that are cut-resistant and could be the basis for vandal-resistant seat materials, as well as composites which resist painting. Such blends could minimize the graffiti problem and resist vandalism damage. The report states that the desirable properties of composites, (high specific strength and stiffness, low maintenance, and superior fatigue properties) make these materials good choices for both new construction and retrofit hardware.

• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

  Department of Agronomy
  Blacksburg, VA  United States  24061

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Griffin Jr, O H
  • Gurdal, Z
  • Herakovich, C T
• Publication Date: 1988-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 37 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Composite materials; Design; Electrical resistivity; Guideways; Railroad cars; Rapid transit; Rapid transit cars; Retrofitting; Vandalism
• Identifier Terms: Urban Mass Transportation Act
• Old TRIS Terms: Car design /rail/; Resistivity; Umta section 6
• Subject Areas: Design; Public Transportation; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00469744
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Urban Mass Transportation Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-DC-06-0505-88-1, NASA CR-178401
• Contract Numbers: NAG-1-673
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1988 12:00AM