| Project Title | A Novel Trackbed Material for Stiffness Transition in Bridge Approaches and Its Integration in Educational Outreach |
| University | Penn State Altoona |
| Principal Investigator(s) | Shihui Shen |
| PI Contact Information | Szs20@psu.edu |
| Funding Source(s) and Amounts Provided (by each agency or organization) | Penn State Altoona Federal Share $101,004 Penn State Altoona Match $101,004 |
| Total Project Cost | $202,008 |
| Start and End Dates | 3/11/19—3/11/20 |
| Brief Description of Research Project | The objective of this study is to develop a prototype “stiffness transition” trackbed material and evaluate its engineering properties with laboratory tests. A self-compacting semi-flexible composite material (SFCM) will be developed for easy track modulus adjustment under different stiffness transition scenarios determined from the 3D dynamic track “Sandwich Model”. Controlling the modulus of trackbed with customizable engineering properties can reduce dynamic loading impact to both highway and bridge structures, and lead to increased life and improved safety of track components. |