Enrolments for 2022 have closed.
Fundamentals of Track Engineering
Undergraduate | TAS-JEE151 | 2022
Course information for 2022 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed,
- No prior study
- Duration
- 14 weeks
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 rail
- Rail sizes and standards
- 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.
- Online Quizzes (50%)
- Short essay questions (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
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UndergraduateTAS-ENR-DIP
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