MEC5221 is not in the 2027 Handbook - Monash may have renumbered or withdrawn it. This is what the 2025 Handbook published; check the 2027 Handbook or your faculty before planning next year.
Units / MEC5221
MEC5221 · Railway engineering
2025 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Overview
The main subsystems for a functioning modern railway network such as the track system, the rolling stock, the power supply system, and the signal and control system will be described in this unit. It also covers the fundamental principles for planning and design of railway infrastructure. Various track geometry aspects and basic factors for track geometry and the selection of appropriate rolling stock will be explored based on international and national standards. Terminologies and new facts on track geometry and their relationship with train speed and rolling stock design will be introduced. It also covers the interaction between rail vehicles and infrastructure. The types and components of rolling stock, dynamic interaction between a railway vehicle and a track system, and traffic loadings will be part of the discussions. Key issues and concepts relating to rolling stock design, maintenance and operations will be discussed. This unit also involves discussions on the fundamental wheel-rail interface engineering. Wheel and rail profiles from the point of vehicle guidance perspective and lateral instability will be discussed in this unit. Current developments in inspection and maintenance procedures for track and rolling stock components will be covered as part of this unit. The safety criterion of the railway vehicle against derailments and track instability will be discussed.
Offerings
The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.
Assessment
The Handbook publishes no assessment items for this unit yet.
Continuous assessment: 50% Final assessment: 50% This unit contains a threshold hurdle requirement that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grae (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.
Requisites
prerequisite
PREREQUISITES: Enrolled in E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours): ENG2005 and a WAM of 65 or above at the conclusion of level 3 and be in your final year to be eligible to enrol in the level 5 unit. The unit assumes you have the necessary foundational knowledge in structural mechanics or solid mechanics, as would typically be covered in undergraduate subjects such as CIV2206 or MEC3455. Enrolled in a Master's course in engineering: The unit assumes you have the necessary foundational knowledge in structural mechanics or solid mechanics, as would typically be covered in undergraduate subjects such as CIV2206 or MEC3455.
ENG2005CIV2206MEC3455Learning outcomes
- Describe the main subsystems in a modern railway network.
- Formulate criteria to select track components and locomotive specifications.
- Apply theories and fundamental principles for planning, design and maintenance of railway infrastructure.
- Evaluate safety measures and regulations for railway systems, including track integrity, operations and risk assessments.
Workload
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester, typically comprising a mixture of 3 - 6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6 - 9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
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