Recycled Rail Wagons for Rail Bridge Decks

Project Manager:

Paul Boyd

Sponsor Organisations:

• DoTARS
• QR
• Rockhampton Regional Council

Partner Research Organisations:

QUT

Project Leader:

A/Prof. M. Dhanasekar, (QUT)

Staff Members:

• Paul Boyd

Objectives

The aim of the project is to investigate the structural adequacy of the disused flat bottom railway wagons as bridge decks in the low volume high axle load regional Australian road network. It is proposed to develop appropriate design rules and stringent processes to minimise the risks of using the disused wagons on public roads with adequate levels of safety to the road users through materials characterisation, loads analysis, modelling and full scale laboratory testing. It is proposed to demonstrate the developed technology of road bridge deck replacement for a case study in one of the partner investigators' (Shire Councils) sites through field testing and ongoing monitoring.

Background

The current strategies for the replacement of timber bridges that could not otherwise be rehabilitated or strengthened in the Queensland and Australian road network are facing stiff challenges due to a shortage in expertise and skilled labour as well as economical systems for quick and timely implementation. The key objective of this project is to examine whether the innovative idea of upgrading old single lane timber road bridges to meet today's structural standards by using flat top 'HO' class rail wagons as a bridge deck replacement.

Outcomes

It is believed that the technology of adopting disused rail wagons will prove better against existing technologies on triple bottom line measures.

First, from the economic perspective, the current technologies of erecting new bridge decks as per existing design rules and practices of construction typically could be achieved within one-third of that cost. Second, from an environmental perspective, the project will find better usage of the disused wagons, thereby providing energy savings when compared to metal recycling and alternate construction solutions. Third, from the social perspective, bridge deck replacement and new bridges could be provided sooner without delays (based on economy of scale) relative to current practice, which provide safer bridges and improved road access and life style for regional and remote communities of Australia.