Center for Railway Research

Studying, developing, and applying new and emerging technologies to solve rail industry problems.

Research Topics

Illustration of a railhead with labels for internal railhead crack, test specimen, and the x and z axes.

Computational Modeling of Fracture in Rails

Computer Prediction of Buckling in Rails

Experimental Determination of Crack Growth in Rails Subjected to Long-Term Cyclic Fatigue Loading

Experimental Determination of Track Structure Properties

Visuals

Photos

Illustration of railhead with labels identifying: uniaxial cyclic loading simulating rail cars and RNT, internal railhead crack, and the x, y, and z axes.

Photograph with the following items identified: vertical load actuator, horizontal displacement LVDT (vertical displacement LVDT not show in photo), vertical load cell, crosstie (shown: HDPE with dimples), aggregate (and plastic shown for wet experiments), pusher load cell, and pushing actuator.

Illustration of a railhead with labels for internal railhead crack, test specimen, and the x and z axes.

Photograph of a broken rail.

Illustration of a railhead with labels for internal railhead crack, test specimen, and the x, y and z axes.

Illustration of a railway with labels for cross ties, track fasteners, damaged rail, ballast, base material, and the x, y and z axes.

Rail Tests/Simulations