skip to main content
UTRGV

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Main Menu
Donate Now Directory myUTRGV

You are here:

Research Infrastructure High Speed Train Geotechnics

University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) College of Engineering and Computer Science

  • Home
  • About
    • Message from Director
    • Mission
    • Visitor Information
  • News and Media
    • Program News
    • Newsletters and Stories
    • Photo Galleries
      • Gallery 2022
      • Gallery 2019
      • Gallery 2018
      • Gallery 2017
      • Gallery 2016
      • Gallery 2015
      • Gallery 2014
    • Video Galleries
  • Education and Outreach
    • Summer Experiences - College and Professionals
      • REU
      • RET
    • Summer Camps (K-12)
      • UTCRS Summer Camps
      • TESEP
    • Educator Resources
      • Borrowing Materials
      • STEM Curriculum
      • UTCRS Learning Module
    • Community Outreach
  • Workforce Development
    • Research Assistantships
    • DDETFP Fellowship
    • Professional Student Training
    • Professional Workshops
      • 2022 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2019 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2018 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2017 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2016 STEM Teacher National Workshop
    • Internships
      • UTRGV High Scholars Summer Program
      • Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
  • Research
    • Mechanical
    • Operations
    • Infrastructure
    • Reports
    • Call for Proposals
  • Technology Transfer
    • Journal Articles
    • Conference Papers
    • Reports and Presentations
    • Theses and Dissertations
    • Educational Scholarship
    • Products
      • Bearing Lubricant Models
      • Conductive Pad
      • Single Bearing Tester
      • Four Bearing Tester
  • Key Personnel
    • Executive Officers
    • Executive Committee
    • Advisory Board
    • UTCRS Organizational Chart
University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS)

Estimating Bridge Span Deflections Using Data Streams from Rolling Stock - Related Links

Contact Us

Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS)
Engineering Portable
EPOB4 1.100
Email: railwaysafety@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-8878
Fax: (956) 665-8879
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

Quick Links

USDOT FRA OST-R UTCs CUTC AAR/TTCI

Estimating Bridge Span Deflections Using Data Streams from Rolling Stock

University  Texas A&M University (TAMU)
Principal Investigators  Gary Fry, Ph.D., P.E., Civil Engineering (PI)
PI Contact Information  3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
Office (979) 862-1339
garyfry@tamu.edu
Funding Source(s) and Amounts Provided (by each agency or organization)  Federal Funds (USDOT UTC Program): $75,000
Total Project Cost  $75,000
Agency ID or Contract Number  DTRT13-G-UTC59
Start and End Dates May 2016 - December 2017
Brief Description of Research Project  The objective of the research is to develop technology that will autonomously detect structural deflections in timber railroad bridges using data gathered from rail vehicles that cross the bridges. This was accomplished by recording the behavior of a bridge and the motion of a railcar passing over bridge spans. Artificial neural networks, a type of pattern recognition technology, were used to determine relationships between the bridge and vehicle behaviors. The results of a finite element analysis were utilized to train the neural networks to recognize the patterns associated with the bridge and railcar motions. Five different impairment conditions, or simulated deflection scenarios, were developed for the training process. This allowed the networks to recognize the patterns correlating the railcar and bridge data streams. Once the artificial neural networks were successfully trained, new vehicle motions from a field test were presented to the network and the corresponding bridge behavior was predicted. The neural networks were accurate in predicting the maximum chord deflection to within 0.1 inches in 72% tested chords with improved accuracy at faster speeds.
Keywords system-wide trending data, pattern recognition technology, railcar motion, bridge behavior, neural networks
Describe Implementation of Research Outcomes (or why not implemented) Place Any Photos Here The outcomes of this project have been reported to the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association (AREMA), Committee 7, Timber Structures. This committee maintains the published recommended practice guidelines for the design and maintenance of timber railroad bridges.
Impacts/Benefits of Implementation (actual, not anticipated) The research provides a field-tested basis for processing dynamic response data from a moving rail vehicle to estimate the deflections of bridge spans that the vehicle crosses.
Report

https://www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety/_files/documents/research/infrastructure/bridge_deflection_report_utcrs.pdf

Project Website http://www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety/research/infrastructure/bridge-span-deflection-estimation/index.htm  
Jump to Top

UTRGV

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Reporting
  • Site Policies
  • Contact UTRGV
  • Required Links
  • Fraud Reporting
  • Senate Bill 18 Reporting
  • UTRGV Careers
  • Clery Act Reports
  • Web Accessibility
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Sexual Misconduct Policy
  • Reporting Sexual Misconduct