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Facilities & Test Equipment

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Evaluation of Prototype Head Shield for Hazardous Material Tank Car

The structural integrity of a prototype tank car head shield for hazardous material railroad tank cars was evaluated under conditions of freight car coupling at moderate to high speeds. This is one of the most severe environments encountered in normal railroad service. Two versions of the shield...

Instrumentation for Measurement of Forces on Wheels of Rail Vehicles

The information in this report covers the procurement, development and testing of instrumentation designed to measure the dynamic forces and temperatures which are created in the wheels of a loaded rail vehicle truck. The information contained herein is intended for use by scientific, research...

The Feasibility of Magnetically Levitating High Speed Ground Vehicles

To determine technical feasibility of magnetically levitated and guided high-speed ground transportation vehicles theoretical analyses of four suspension systems were conducted: (1) permanent magnet, (2) electromagnet-ferromagnetic guideway, (3) superconducting magnet, conducting coil guideway...

Embankment Support for a Railroad Test Track: Design Studies

The events and considerations leading up to the production of an embankment design for the support of the Kansas test track are described. Included are discussion of: site description, field investigations, laboratory investigations, sub-surface conditions, embankment design, and instrumentation...

Heat-Assisted Tunnel Boring Machines

A study was performed to determine: a) the increase in tunneling machine performance in hard rock resulting from heat weakening of the rock in advance of the tunneling machine, b) the increase in hourly cost incurred by the heating system, and c) the net effect of the increased performance and...

Review of Effects of Hypervelocity Jets and Projectiles on Rock

New methods are being continuously sought which will radically increase the rates of tunnel excavation. Attention has turned to the use of hypervelocity impact as a means of cutting and breaking rock, as well as the use of lasers, electric current, explosive drilling, high frequency vibration, etc...

Analysis of Optimum and Preview Control of Active Vehicle Suspensions

The analysis leading to the optimum transfer function for an active suspension excited by a random guideway input is briefly reviewed and a design chart is presented. A parameter sensitivity study of the stability is performed and shows excellent system stability. The wheel-guideway contact problem...