Using Differential Shear Strain Measurements to Monitor Crosstie Support Conditions in Railroad Tracks

This thesis details a comprehensive numerical analysis of load determination, and crosstie support assessment and monitoring using strain gauges to measure differential rail shear strain in ballasted railroad tracks due to applied railcar wheel loads. These differential shear strain measurements can be related to applied wheel loading and crosstie support reactions through the geometric and constitutive properties of a given rail section. The basic theory behind the measurement technique was reviewed and investigated using finite element models of varying complexity. The impact of field conditions such as differential ballast and subgrade support, track stiffness, crosstie spacing, gauge installation location, and circuit calibration methods were explored, as well as the nature of the interaction between vertical and lateral loads on accurate load determination. The results of this theoretical study indicate that differential shear strain measurements are a robust method for load and crosstie support assessment and monitoring and can be used for accurate measurement of both vertical and lateral loads

Carcass Composition of Market Weight Pigs Subjected to Heat Stress in utero or during Growth

Pigs were exposed to prolonged chronic heat stress (HS) and thermoneutral (TN) conditions prenatally (during first of last half of gestation) or postnatally (7-10 wk starting at 14 wk of age). Gestational HS had minimal impact on carcass composition but may impact skeletal system structure and development. Additionally, results indicate that while similar levels of lean can be achieved in pigs subjected to chronic postnatal HS with increased time on feed, carcass fat may be decreased with HS

The Journal of Microelectronic Research

https://scholarworks.rit.edu/meec_archive/1015/thumbnail.jp

Wiecking Center Work Shop

Currently the Construction Management Program is lacking a shop formatted lab. Having a workshop would allow students to view plans on proper plan tables, have a work bench for various field testing, and would support an education on building green, as it would be a green building. The program would also benefit from the planning and building phases of the project. It would allow students to work with outside contractors in a field application. We are currently benefiting from the project by creating designs. We are gaining a true accountability for our structural calculations, attention to building codes, and respect for construction/operational efficiency based on the project potentially being constructed. In our area of study there is no replacement for learning in a hand on live field application. Making the construction documents estimates and measurements apply to something you can see develop provides a motivation to learn. We would gain that motivation through the shops construction process but would gain our overall goal by providing an area for students to gain a hand on learning experience every day. In my personal experience from attending class for 4 years followed by working in the field for 3 years. I learned a lot of the business language along with other tools in the class room but that information didn’t mean anything to me until I was able to apply it in a hand on environment. The shop would be a great step in brings the class room to life

Effective Means of Silt Fence Installation

J. Kent Evat

Effect of Track Configuration and Loading Conditions on Vertical Wheel Load Measurements Using the Differential Shear Approach

Measurement of vertical wheel loads on railroad tracks using strain gauges mounted on the rail web is common practice. This measurement approach makes use of the differential shear concept that the difference in shear force between two points along a beam equals the magnitude of the vertical load applied between those two locations. Although the applicability of this concept is easy to verify for simple beams, its validity for field applications under different track configurations including support and loading conditions is relatively unexplored. Findings are presented from an ongoing research effort that has utilized numerical models to assess the effects of different track and loading configurations on vertical wheel load measurements using the differential shear approach. The underlying theory behind this measurement approach is first introduced, and different scenarios are compared using a simple one-dimensional model. This is followed by detailed analysis of the effects of different vertical, lateral, and axial loading combinations on the measured shear strain values. Finally, a three-dimensional finite element model is used to study the dependence of the measured wheel loads and calibration approaches on track support conditions. Findings from the analyses clearly establish the applicability of this measurement approach across different scenarios observed in railroad tracks

Quantification of Vertical and Lateral Loads Using Strain Gauges: Eliminating the Wheatstone Bridge

Real-time measurement of vertical wheel loads applied to the rail is commonly carried out using strain gauges. One standard approach involves measurement of shear strains at the rail neutral axis, and use of the differential shear concept. Strain gauges are typically mounted on the rail neutral axis between two adjacent ties (over the crib section). A set of four strain measurements (two each, pointed at 45 degrees up and down from the horizontal) are carried out at each end of the crib section, and the measured strains are used to calculate the shear strain magnitudes; this shear strain is in turn used to calculate the applied load. In practice, the four individual strain measurements on each end of the crib (on either face of the rail) are arranged in a single Wheatstone bridge circuit. The purpose for using this common strain measurement configuration lies in the circuits’ ability to eliminate crosstalk, or strain unrelated to the load being measured, e.g. bending strain, or strain due to lateral loading, etc. This paper will propose a new measurement approach whereby eliminating this Wheatstone bridge configuration and measuring eight independent strain signals will enable direct quantification of the vertical as well as lateral load magnitudes. Instead of having to install additional strain gauges on the rail base to measure the lateral loads, the same strain gauges mounted on the rail neutral axis can be used to measure both vertical as well as lateral loads. This proposed technique will simplify the process of vertical and horizontal wheel load detection, and may increase the applicability of these circuits to detect loads in curved sections of track as well as near special track work

CuMo Mine Feasibility Study

A mining company named CuMo, formally named Mosquito, is planning to open an estimated 3,850 acre, open-pit. mine in Boise County, Idaho. CuMo plans to extract copper, molybdenum, silver, and gold. Under the Bus Engineering was tasked with creating a feasibility study report for mining operations. Our goal is to determine the mine’s feasibility for CuMo and the surrounding area. We have considered mining operations and developed estimates for each phase of the mine. We have designed a complete mine site layout and mine-tailings dam. All designs closely followed regulations from several state and federal agencies, including: Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and Environmental Protection Agency. A cost analysis was performed, along with a reclamation plan