Background:
Each year, railroads incur significant costs for
replacing rails due to friction and wear. Controlling the complex
wheel/rail interface imposes wide-ranging demands upon the work
force and budget. Placement of correct lubricants of required
quantity at right point on the rail curve using reliable and
effective lubricators has substantial benefits. There are however
challenges and concerns relating to the use of lubricants,
lubricators and positioning
Objective:
The aim of the project is to collect data for
analysing and modelling to improve industry practices of wheel
– rail friction modification. The project will also seek to
contribute to performance based standards considering cost and
risks for lubrication decisions and the placement of lubricators on
curves.
Project
scope:
The project is expected to develop economic models
for ranking lubricants and applicators in order to measure
effectiveness in the track. It would Investigate grease suitability
for various lubricators and develop performance based standards for
the placement of lubricators on curves. It is expected to develop a
practice manual and a decision support system for lubrication
decisions including lubrication, lubricator and placements
decisions. It is expected to study wear rates over the length of
the curves for corrective and preventive measures.
Benefits:
Cost benefits are expected in reduced rail and
wheel wear and in reduced energy costs. Estimated benefits to rail
industries in Australia would be AUD $5 million per
year.
Expected outcomes:
Expected outcomes
of this project include collated
knowledge based on existing research, results and industry
practices on curve wear and lubrication, selection chart for rail
curve greases & applicators, development of a practical
lubricator placement model, economic models for decision on rail
curve lubrication and practice manual for rail curve
lubrication.
Project
timeframe:
3 years
Project
Chair:
Alex Howie, Civil Engineer,
Queensland Rail
Project
Leader:
Dr Gopinath Chattopadhyay,
Associate Professor in Asset Management
Faculty of Science, Engineering and
Health, Central Queensland University
Tel: (07) 4970 7602
Email: g.chattopadhyay@cqu.edu.au
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