Victor Carreon
UTRGV Mechanical Engineering student Victor Carreon had the opportunity to complete his UTCRS REU experience at Texas A&M University. Mr. Carreon was interested in the effects of input forces on the mechanical components of a railcar. Given this interest his research involved simulating the impact forces felt by the center of a railcar as a result of rail irregularities. As it is well known, rail irregularities and geometrical defects are amongst the leading causes of railroad accidents. Mr. Carreon’s findings laid the groundwork to obtain a mathematical expression relating different types of rail irregularities to the impact forces felt on the railcar.