CE 353 - Railroad Engineering

Iowa State University

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General Course Information

Syllabus

Slides

General Course Information

Contact Information

Instructor:

Dr. Reg Souleyrette

Office:

382A Town Engineering

Alternate Office:

Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE)
ISU Research Park
2901 S. Loop Drive, Suite 3100

Phone:

294-5453

Email:

reg@iastate.edu

Office Hours:

 

 

 

Time and Place

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Objectives

  1. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of statistics
  2. Demonstrate a broad base of knowledge in civil engineering technical areas, represented by the transportation discipline area.
  3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of cost estimating for railroad construction
  4. Demonstrate the ability to identify, define and develop alternative solutions to solve an open-ended or ill-defined problem while considering constructability, sustainability and maintenance of railroad design
  5. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate in oral, written and graphical communication of ideas to engineers and non-engineers.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to effectively use computers as a tool for communication, problem-solving, analysis and design
  7. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively within a team
  8. Recognize and understand the importance and necessity for high professional and ethical standards
  9. Demonstrate an understanding of social, political and cultural issues related to route alignment
  10. Provide the student with an opportunity to interact with a practicing professional through guest lectures or field trips

Civil Engineering Dept. Goal and Objectives

Academic Program Goal

Develop an effective undergraduate program that fulfills student educational needs and that equips and empowers qualified students for a successful career in Civil Engineering.

Academic Program Objectives (CE 353 Contribution in parenthesis)

  1. Design, coordinate, and execute an integrated undergraduate civil engineering program that produces graduates who
    1. have a fundamental understanding of mathematics, statistics, and physical sciences and where appropriate, life sciences.(5%)
    2. have a broad base of knowledge in civil engineering technical areas, represented by the transportation/surveying, structural, environmental/water resources, and geotechnical/materials discipline areas.(30%)
    3. have a basic understanding of cost estimating, planning and scheduling for civil engineering projects.(10%)
    4. utilize critical thinking to identify, define and develop alternative solutions, and to implement a feasible design to solve an open-ended or ill-defined problem while considering constructability, sustainability and maintainability of the design.(15%)
    5. are effective in oral, written and graphical communication of ideas to engineers and non-engineers.(10%)
    6. recognize and understand the importance of timely and effective communication during the design and construction processes.
    7. have an ability to effectively use computers as a tool for communication, problem-solving, analysis and design.(10%)
    8. have an ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.(5%)
    9. recognize and understand the importance and necessity for high professional and ethical standards.(5%)
    10. have basic knowledge of business and management principles and practice.
    11. have an understanding of social, political and cultural issues.(5%)
    12. have an ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret data.
  2. Provide opportunities for student interaction with practicing professionals.(5%)
  3. Provide opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills.
  4. Encourage and motivate students for life-long learning, continued intellectual and professional growth and professional registration.
  5. Encourage cooperative education, internships or progressive summer engineering employment.
  6. Develop and maintain an academic advising system and a mentoring system that retains qualified students.
  7. Develop and maintain a faculty that serves as a model of professional excellence for our students.

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Texts

Textbook:

The Railroad, What it is, What it does, 4th Edition by John H. Armstrong (1998)

Supplemental Text:

Railroad Engineering, Second Edition by William W. Hay (1982)

Additional material will be handed out in class, or made available on the web site.

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Late Assignments

Labs and homework are due at the beginning of the lab class one week later than the last lab period involving the lab that is due (i.e., one week labs are due at the start of the next lab period, two week labs are due at the start of the next lab period after the 2nd lab week for that lab, etc.).

For the Rail Location and Preliminary Design lab, the reports are due at the beginning of the last lab class of the semester.

Late labs or homework will be penalized 20% per week.

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Attendance Policy

We will have a quiz on days where no homework is due, which I will use to take attendance. Missed classes can be made up (that day's quiz will not be averaged in) by attending a

o       Transportation Student Association

meeting or workshop. Simply send an email to reg@iastate.edu indicating what you attended and which lecture you are substituting it for.

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Grading

The final grade will be based on 2 midterm exams, 2 lab assignments, homeworks, and class daily quizzes. The following scheme will be used:

Midterm Exams

40%

Homework

15%

Labs

35%

Quizzes

10%

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Lab Write-Ups

If the lab requirements state that it should be typed, a complete lab report will be necessary. The purpose of requiring a write-up is to require you to present your results in writing in an organized and grammatically correct manner. Getting the answer is usually only half the work!

Lab Report Submittal Instructions

Download the report template (Word97) here.

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