Course syllabus for Railway technology

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-17 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameJärnvägsteknik
  • CodeMMS180
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPMOB
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyMechanical Engineering
  • DepartmentMECHANICS AND MARITIME SCIENCES
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 89140
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0121 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		0 c7.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c
  • 18 Jan 2025 am J
  • 16 Apr 2025 pm J
  • 20 Aug 2025 pm J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

The student should have a basic knowledge in mathematics, mechanics, strength of materials and programming.

Aim

The course will provide an overview of the railway system with a special emphasis on challenges related to asset management. These challenges significantly relate to deterioration of the railway system. The course will therefor also provide an overview of deterioration mechanisms. Consequences in terms of safety, cost and environmental impact will be described. Possibilities for predictive modelling as a basis for asset management will be indicated, and in selected cases exemplified.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Describe the railway system and its main components
  • Explain main concepts regarding the railway in the society related to market, economics and environmental influence
  • Describe the most common track and vehicle concepts
  • Describe the fundamentals of asset management systems
  • Understand the basics of railway mechanics and the possibilities of employing numerical simulations in evaluating loading and predicting deterioration of different parts of the railway system
  • Explain how different design and maintenance concepts affect deterioration, reliability, safety and environmental impact
  • Explain the basics of mechanical deterioration of the different parts of the railway system and describe how increased deterioration affects safety, life cycle costs, reliability and environmental impact
In relation to UN's sustainable development goals, the course relates to reliable design and operation of the railway system, which is a key part of the societal infrastructure (in a very broad sense). This relates to most goals either directly (e.g. goals 9 and 12), or as means to achieve the goal (e.g. goals 1 and 2).

Content

The course will cover
  • The role of the railway in the society – market, system, economics and environment
  • Overview of– current and future – railway systems (track and vehicles)
  • Asset management from a railway perspective
  • Operational loads (in a broad sense) – relations to design and maintenance status
  • Introduction to railway dynamics and related deterioration phenomena – mechanisms, consequences and possibilities for prediction of the loading and subsequent deterioration/safety risks of different parts of the railway system

Organisation

The course will feature lectures, tutorials, assignments and (if possible) study visit(s).

Literature

  • Evert Andersson, Mats Berg, Sebastian Stichel & Carlos Casanueva (2018) Rail systems and rail vehicles Part 1: Rail systems, KTH, Sweden
  • Evert Andersson, Mats Berg, Sebastian Stichel & Carlos Casanueva (2018) Rail systems and rail vehicles Part 2: Rail vehicles, KTH, Sweden
  • Additional hand-out material

Examination including compulsory elements

The examination is based on a written exam, grades TH with mandatory assignments.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.