Railway Engineering

Prerequisite Knowledge

Physics, Building Materials, Reinforced Concrete, Geometric Design of Roads, Soil Mechanics

Course Units

#	Title	Description	Hours
1	Introduction	The importance of Railways in transportation. Permissible loads. Static and dynamic loads and relevant calculations. Axle loads regulation.	1Χ4=4
2	Railway Permanent Way	Railway permanent way, Railway permanent way materials, rails, sleepers, fasteners, ballast. Railway gauges.	2Χ4=8
3	Train Guidance- Turnouts and crossings	Train guidance, train rolling. Turnouts and crossings (theory & exercises).	2Χ4=8
4	Traction and signalling	Traction, train formation/composition, signalling (theory & exercises).	1X4=4
5	Railway alignment design	Railway alignment design and geometry (theory and exercises).	3Χ4=12
6	Substructure	Substructure: earthworks (excavations-embankments), drainage. Special constructions (theory & exercises).	3X4=12
7	Rolling stock, Rail freight transport	Rolling stock (vehicles). Passenger Coaches and Freight Wagons. Railway stations. Rail freight transport. Railway freight terminals (theory).	1X4=4

Learning Objectives

After the successful completion of the course the students will be able to:

1. Know the basic design principles of railway systems in respect to railway alignment design, turnouts, signalling as well as the basic characteristics of railway stations and vehicles.
2. Understand the interaction between the railway permanent way and substructure and the operation of railway systems
3. Realize the significance of proper railway alignment design and the impact it has on railway operation (curves, turnouts, cant, railway permanent way)
4. Form an integrated structural and operational model of a railway system
5. Calculate the rail track forces in relation to the type and characteristics of the passing rolling stock, cant in curves, wheel – rail interaction forces, load distribution from railway permanent way to substructure, signalling control, etc

Teaching Methods

Teaching methods	In-class lectures are performed in the Amphitheatre of the Laboratory of Railways and Transport, by use of projector on the big screen of the Amphitheatre (for the theoretical part of the subject). During each lecture, exercise material is distributed including exercise sheets addressing the problem, with the required diagrams and tables to facilitate the in-class work. Students are asked to solve these problems and then the solution is revealed (on the board) by the Instructor. Where applicable, there is a demonstration of actual (see 6.3 Laboratories). In addition, a technical visit is performed to an open site of NTUA campus, where a segment part of a railway track and other railway elements exist is located. Usually a visit to Metro construction sites is performed.
Teaching media	Board and PowerPoint presentations
Laboratories	In the Laboratory of Railways and Transport various railway elements are exhibited (a railway turnout, various types of sleepers, 2 railway carriages, measuring equipment, testing devices, etc.) a railway network model together with consoles for controlling signalling and block sections. Moreover in an open site of NTUA campus, a segment of a railway track exists (including different types of sleepers) together with exhibits of turnouts and crossings.
Problems - Applications	The students are requested to solve mathematical/design problems in class, which are then corrected by the instructors and returned to the students.
Assignments (projects, reports)	The project is not mandatory. Students who choose to carry out this assignment may choose to work as a group or individually.

Student Assessment

• Final written exam: 70%
• Assignments (projects, reports): 30%

Textbooks - Bibliography

1. Lyberis C. (2009): Railways: Theory and Applications” Volumes I, II, Symmetria Editions
2. Exercise material distributed to the students during each lecture.

Lecture Time - Place:

• Friday, 12:45 – 16:30,
  Rooms:
  • Αμφ. Σιδ/κής