Development of a Practical Risk Framework for Railway Bridge Stiffness Transitions

The objective of this research was to take advantage of historic measurement cycles to develop a risk index for bridge transitions that takes into account the stiffness differential (mean stiffness between zones), stiffness variation (variation around the mean), train axle load, train operating speed, rate of degradation of the transition zone, length of the bridge, and other factors. The data utilized to achieve this objective were vertical track deflection data and railway operating data for approximately 500 miles of railway with nearly 100 bridges. This research activity resulted in a framework for practically implementing a risk index for bridge transitions that allows the railway to prioritize bridges for maintenance and/or remedial action as well as monitor the health of bridge transitions. In addition, the resulting framework has the ability to identify the most cost-effective approach to managing the bridge transitions, status quo maintenance, implementation of a transition zone (and best approach), or matching stiffness through the bridge. Since the data utilized were very well known to the railway, and the resulting outcome is an easy-to-use and practical framework, it is expected that acceptance by industry partners will be timely and well received.

• Record URL:
  https://r3utc.psu.edu/files/2020/09/CIAMTIS-UD-CIAM-UTC-REG2_s.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/65564
• Summary URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/65566
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Delaware, Newark

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, DuPont Hall
  Newark, DE  United States  19716

  Center for Integrated Asset Management for Multimodal Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CIAMTIS)

  Pennsylvania State University
  University Park, PA  United States  16802

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Palese, Joseph W
  • 0000-0003-3946-3777
  • Lasisi, Ahmed
• Publication Date: 2020-8-31

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 47p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle loads; Deflection; Maintenance management; Maintenance of way; Railroad bridges; Risk management; Stiffness
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01754646
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CIAM-UTC-REG2
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551847103
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 14 2020 5:41PM