AF2901 Road- and Railway Track Engineering 7.5 credits

• Educational level

  Second cycle

• Academic level (A-D)

  C

• Subject area

• Grade scale

  A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

• Course page on KTH Social

Learning outcomes

When the course is done, those students taking part shall be able to:

• Understand the link between road classification and structural differences;
• Describe the factors influencing geometric roads and railways design;
• Explain mechanisms and factors influencing long term structural performance of roads and railways;
• Make a structural design of  a road and evaluate the most important assumptions in the procedure;
• Describe the dominant material properties used in building and maintenance of roads;
• Understand the suitable test methods for the material characterization and explain the connection to performance related properties;
• Describe the principles of non-destructive evaluation techniques for design and maintenance of roads;
• Understand the concept of a life cycle perspective in road- and railway engineering;
• Understand the importance of mechanics based design;
• Use mechanics based pavement design procedures;
• Material characterization (binder, aggregates & mixtures) including intro to visualization;
• Understand existing laboratory equipment for characterization of ballast material & asphalt concrete;
• Analyze and utilize results from experimental laboratory test.

Course main content

In this introduction course, students will learn the basics of geometrical and mechanical design of road and railways. By participating in course, the students will be exposed to the various design steps and will be able to relate long-term environmental and mechanical mechanisms to the choice of materials, the appropriate test methods and design methods. The course focuses on developing a basic understanding of why fundamental mechanical understanding of the structures allow for a sustainable road and railway track design. The course combines lectures, with on-line course material and hands-on exercises.

Disposition

The course will consist of morning lectures and afternoon exercises in which the course material will be utilized by the students.

Eligibility

At least 120 credits Academic studies in Engineering, Science, Economics or Planning including documented proficiency in English B or equivalent (TOEFL, IELTS  e g).

AF1601-Soil Mechanics and  Foundation Engineering besides AF2003- Structural Engineering Advanced Course.

Literature

Pavement Design and Materials by A.T. Papagiannakis and E.A. Masad

Road and Street design by L.O. Alm

Extra material will be given during the course lectures.

Examination

• TEN1 - Examination, 4.5 credits, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• ÖVN1 - Exercises, 3.0 credits, grade scale: P, F

The total credits for the course are separated into credits for passing the exam and passing the exercises. No bonus point will be given through the exercises. The exam, however, will contain a bonus question related to testing a broader understanding of the subject.

Requirements for final grade

The final grade will be awarded from a 100 point scale based on results on the written exam and that the exercises are approved.

Grading scale:

• A  90 - 100
• B  80 - 89
• C  70 - 79
• D  60 - 69
• E  55 – 59
• F  < 55

Offered by

ABE/Division of Highway and Railway Engineering

Contact

Nicole (Niki) Kringos, niki.kringos@abe.kth.se, 08-790 8700

Examiner

Nicole Kringos <nicole.kringos@abe.kth.se>

Version

Course plan valid from: Autumn 13.
Examination information valid from: Autumn 07.