Civil Engineering

Introduction: Historic development, Railways, Tramways and metro, Operational aspects (function of a railway company, infrastructure, rolling stock, major rail infrastructure projects), Geometry of a railway line (clearances, alignment), General track considerations, Rail network in Italy and Europe, Interoperability. Wheel-Rail Interface: Wheel-rail guidance, Wheelset and track dimensions, Conicity, Lateral movement of a wheelset on straight track (theory according to Klingel), Train resistances, (types of resistances, required pulling force, adhesion force and braking). Curves and Gradients: General considerations, Curvature and superelevation in horizontal curves, Curve effects, Superelevation (general considerations, cant deficiency, effect of suspension on lateral acceleration, effect of body tilt coaches on cant deficiency, cant excess, maximum cant), Transition curves (general remarks, clothoid, cubic parabola, curve displacement), Cross level transitions (superelevation ramps, relation with the transition curve, length of normal transition curve, adjacent curves), Curve resistance, Gradients (gradient resistance, magnitude of gradient, vertical transition curves,), Alignment in mountainous areas, Computer-aided track design. Tunnel and bridge rail. General information. Ballasted Track: Introduction, Formation, Ballast bed, Rails (function, profile types, rail joint), Sleepers, Sub-ballast and protective layer, Fastenings systems. Switches and crossings: The standard turnout, Geometry of the turnout, High-speed turnouts, types of turnouts and crossings, Cross-overs, Switch calculation (relation between curve radius and crossing angle, main geometric dimensions). Track loads: Introduction, Axle loads, Line classifications, Causes and nature of track loads, Vertical rail forces, lateral forces on the rails, Longitudinal forces, Dynamic amplification factor. Static track design: Introduction, Supporting models (Winkler support, discrete rail support, continuous rail support, approximation of discrete rail support), Beam on elastic foundation model, Rail stresses, Sleeper stresses, Stresses on ballast bed and formation, Empirical Design Methods.

General elements of technical drawing, geometric modeling, road geometry and cartography

Lecture Notes

Not mandatory

Oral exam and project discussion

Theoretical lessons and practical exercises