Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

As a rail civil engineer you will have responsibility for the permanent way, and so will need to have a sound knowledge and clear understanding of the behaviour of the components of rail tracks. The ballast and sleepers on which the rails rest are critical in supporting the safe passage of trains at speed over the track. A large proportion of maintenance expenditure by track owners arises because of fouled or poorly drained ballast or from sleeper replacement. Delays in train schedules, track closures and even derailments can arise due to problems in the track below the rail. This unit is one of the first you will study in this course because it focuses on the foundations of an efficient and safe track asset network.

Aims

This unit aims to help you take responsibility for management of railway track support.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Competently interpret and prepare specifications for track materials.
2. Critically analyse and solve problems related to below-rail track superstructure issues.
3. Retrieve, evaluate and apply relevant information to determine appropriate maintenance and rectification strategies for the below-rail track.

Content

The content of this unit will include aspects of:

• ballast and ballast alternatives, selection, deterioration, performance and maintenance


• sleeper design and manufacture, deterioration and maintenance


• fastener systems, behaviour and defects.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You will undertake this unit entirely in an external study mode; the teaching approaches in this unit are based on principles of adult learning, where theory is connected with workplace situations and issues. Approaches used in this unit include:

• Interactive, interpersonal explorations of personality styles.


• Simulation of a collaborative approach to problem solving.

The study notes and some of the resources you will need are contained within the online materials you will access via QUT Blackboard. A number of the authors of the modules that comprise the study materials in this unit are also those who will be interacting with you during your study and will be assessing the assignments you submit. The authors are all highly experienced and senior personnel in the railway industry. They and the academic staff at QUT are keen to provide you with assistance via telephone, email, fax and mail. Although the supplied study materials direct you to certain texts and standards for you to read, the external nature of the unit also requires you to draw on your own skills and other human and written resources at your disposal for information to complete some assignments.

Teleconferences

Teleconferences are an important part of learning by distance education. They enable you to have a more personal contact with the QUT academic(s), conduct conversations with the experts contributing to the unit, and to establish and grow networks with your fellow students. Many important learning issues are covered in the teleconferences and they contribute strongly to the quality of your engagement with the resources and the assessment tasks. The teleconferences will be held at times that best suit most participants in the unit.

Assessment

This unit incorporates combined formative/summative assessment through submission of three assignments, which will be marked using criterion referenced assessment (CRA) and returned with feedback to enable you to understand how you are progressing and how your work can be improved. The purpose of the assessment as defined in this Unit Information document is to classify your abilities in respect of the professional capabilities and unit objectives.Formative assessment: feedback provided to you progressively, focusing on how your work can be improved, rather than the standard of the outcome.

Summative assessment: grading of your work focusing on outcome, standard achieved and comparison with criteria.

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: In this assessment, you are presented with a 'case study' of ballast deterioration that requires a staged process of investigation and action. You will submit calculations and observations you make in this case study.
Relates to objectives: 1
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Discussion Forum
Description: You will undertake a blog-based online forum debate with all your colleagues in the unit on a challenging topic related to railway sleepers.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Report
Description: You will prepare and submit a report which describes your analysis of the procurement needs for the major reconstruction of a section of track.
Relates to objectives: 3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 15

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

You will find all the primary resource materials you'll need are provided through the unit's Blackboard website. The course study text is there as well as standards and other documents from a number of rail authorities. In the Course Materials Database you'll find a number of articles reproduced under Australian copyright law. You will be expected at times to find additional information through your company's resources.

Recommended reading:
1. Esveld, C. (2001). Modern Railway Track. MRT Productions. Netherlands.

2. International Heavy Haul Association. (2001). Guidelines to Best Practices for Heavy Haul Railway Operations: Wheel and Rail Interface Issues. IHHA, Virginia, USA.

3. Tew, G.P., Marich, S., Mutton, P.J. (1991). A Review of Track design Procedures. Railways of Australia.

Risk assessment statement

There are no unusual risks associated with this unit; you are not required to undertake activities that attract risks different from those in an ordinary office environment.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 02-May-2012