Research Article
44 Years of FFU Synthetic Railway Sleeper
Günther Koller*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2024
Pages:
43-51
Received:
8 August 2024
Accepted:
2 September 2024
Published:
20 September 2024
Abstract: In the 1970s, FFU (Fibre Reinforced Foamed Urethane) was developed by Japanese Railways in collaboration with Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. This technical report provides an overview of the production process and summarizes various material performance tests conducted by technical universities in Europe. Additionally, it addresses the lateral track resistance of German Railways before ballast compression and after more than 20 million load tonnes had been applied, compacting the ballast. To implement this technology in Finland, a full-body performance test at minus 65 degrees Celsius was required by the client. Meanwhile, the city of Warsaw's public transport operator requested a test to simulate vandalism fire scenarios under bridges and FFU sleepers. In 2010, 30 years after the first installation, the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) of Japan retrieved sleepers from test tracks to assess their performance. The results showed that the sleepers were still in excellent condition, prompting RTRI to inform Japanese Railways that the technology could safely be used for another 20 years, reaffirming the proposed 50-year lifespan. Furthermore, the Technical University of Graz in Austria conducted a life cycle cost analysis for various countries, focusing on the use of FFU sleepers on bridges with open steel decks. For Germany, the study calculated an effective domestic interest rate of 25% for German Railway bridges, indicating strong economic viability. From a safety perspective, TNO, a Dutch research institute, examined the effects of FFU dust during on-site operations such as sawing and drilling. The results confirmed that working with FFU materials poses less risk compared to traditional wood, making it a safer option for on-site workers. This compilation of test results and real-world performance data highlights the reliability, longevity, and safety advantages of FFU technology for railway applications.
Abstract: In the 1970s, FFU (Fibre Reinforced Foamed Urethane) was developed by Japanese Railways in collaboration with Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. This technical report provides an overview of the production process and summarizes various material performance tests conducted by technical universities in Europe. Additionally, it addresses the lateral track res...
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Research Article
Psycho-Productive Skill Test Items Construction and Validation in Motor Vehicle Mechanic Work for State Wide Assessment in Technical Colleges
Olaitan Olawale Opeyemi*,
Oluwatimilehin Samson Ariyo,
Joshua Onyedikachi Ike
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2024
Pages:
52-62
Received:
17 July 2024
Accepted:
10 August 2024
Published:
26 September 2024
Abstract: The technical colleges in Nigeria face challenges in assessing the psycho-productive skills of motor vehicle mechanic students due to a lack of standardized assessment tools. This study focused on the development and validation of psycho-productive multiple-choice skill tests (PMCST) for assessing the practical performances of technical college students in motor vehicle mechanic work across Ekiti and Ondo States. Adopting an instrumentation research design, instrumentation research design was considered appropriate because the study developed an instrument for assessment of practical skills of students. The study targeted a population of 350 National Technical Certificate (NTC) III students, encompassing three ability groups: 57 high, 201 average, and 92 low ability students. A draft copy of the PMCST, comprising 180 items, was generated and utilized as the instrument for assessment in five technical colleges across both states. Data analysis was performed using the split-half technique and Kudder-Richardson (K-R20), yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.84 for the test. Significant differences were found in the mean scores of the three ability groups. Among the recommendations arising from the study is the suggestion that examination bodies such as NABTEB, WAEC, and NECO integrate the PMCST into their certification processes for NTC students.
Abstract: The technical colleges in Nigeria face challenges in assessing the psycho-productive skills of motor vehicle mechanic students due to a lack of standardized assessment tools. This study focused on the development and validation of psycho-productive multiple-choice skill tests (PMCST) for assessing the practical performances of technical college stu...
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