Fundamentals of Track Engineering
UndergraduateTAS-JEE1512025
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Start dates
- 24 Feb 2025
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Fundamentals of Track Engineering
About this subject
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Describe the purpose and behaviour of the main components in the railway track to know how they interact
- Describe the material properties and manufacture of the track components to ensure the track functions correctly
- Discuss the role of drainage in a track deterioration to prevent track failure
- Name and describe the basic types of rollingstock vehicles and components to know their impact on rain infrastructure
- List the geotechnical problems which can influence track behaviour to mitigate risk of track incidents or failure
- Development of Australian railways
- Introduction to rails
- Rail sizes and standard
- Joining and welding of rails
- Vehicle components
- Sleepers and slabs
- Fastening systems
- Ballast functions
- Ballast properties, testing and sources
- Formation
- Drainage
- Geotechnical problems and embankments
- Cuttings and geotechnical risk
Railways were invented in Britain over 200 years ago, and it is difficult to overstate the fundamental and critically important role they have played in the development of nations, the progress of wars, and the prosperity of peoples the world over. Railways tend to be divided into two segments: above rail (ie trains, rollingstock, wagons) and below rail (ie railway tracks). The two segments interact closely in the development and transmission of complex dynamic forces into the earth beneath the tracks. As a track engineer it’s vital that you know what the components are in modern rail tracks, their role, how they perform, the influence of their manufacture, and their interaction with the trains passing over them. For this purpose in your railway course the first subject you encounter is Fundamentals of Track Engineering, in which you learn these rudiments of track and its behaviour. This subject is essential to your progress through the course and you must successfully complete this subject before you can tackle subjects dealing with issues such as track design, track defects, track maintenance, etc.
- Test or Quiz (50%)
- Short Essay Questions of Track Drainage and Geotechnical Issues (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- TAS-ENR-DIP-2025 - Diploma of Engineering Infrastructure (Rail Specialisation)
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: During the semester there are four 1-hour web conferences
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Diploma of Engineering Infrastructure (Rail Specialisation)
UndergraduateTAS-ENR-DIP