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ACADEMIC CAPABILITIES

Cranfield University

Centre for Life-cycle Engineering and Management

Overview

Developing the next generation of systems needed to manage design, manufacture, operations, life extension and end-of-life of large-scale assets with expected lifetimes of up to 60 years. Cost, safety and environmental impact are considered throughout the life cycle. Optimised support integrates diagnostics and prognostics, self-aware/sensing systems, and planning and scheduling for maintenance decisions, support and logistics.

RTS PRIORITY AREAS

  • Data driven
  • Reliable and easy to maintain

Centres of Excellence / Research Groups

  • Centre for Life-cycle Engineering and Management
  • Centre for Digital Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Safety and Accident Investigation

Test facilities

  • Railway Innovation Test Area – 20m track

  • Unmanned vehicle laboratory: rail trolley; robots

  • Condition monitoring laboratory: vibration, AE, ultrasonics, IR, friction, enviromental chamber

  • Virtual reality suite; digital twins

  • Crash investigation

Research themes

Topic: Centre for Life-cycle engineering and management
Summary:

Autonomous systems; non-contact inspection; unmanned vehicles;. Command and Control; 20m track rig facility; crack detection in IR

Project examples: Autonomous systems: Autonom, NEMO, Warthog, cobots; modelling, digital twin; navigation; S&C whole systems design, self adjusting POE, CBM: track geometry data, analytics, ultrasonics, infra red thermography, modal analysis, TRL management - assessment tool
Topic: Centre for Digital Engineering and Manufacturing
Summary:
  • Digitalisation of through-life manufacturing: data mining, ontologies, knowledge base, NDT, robotics, additive manufacturing, etc.
  • Complex systems and optimisation: data analytics, risk and uncertainty quantification, physics based modelling, adaptive simulation, decision making, multiscale modelling life cycle simulations, factory/process system simulations.
  • Digital twins and AI: digital twins, AI and autonomous systems, IoT, cloud computing, and blockchain.
  • Virtual and augmented reality: adaptive visualisation, dynamic content creation, digital work instructions, and innovative training.
  • The Centre works actively with industry across sectors such as aerospace, rail, defence, healthcare, pharmaceutical and food manufacturing.
  • The engagement varies from fundamental research (e.g. TRL 1-3) to more practical (e.g. TRL 4-6) and short term solutions.
Project examples: *Digital Twin for Plain Line Track in WP4 and S&C in WP2, Wheel slip, Vehicle fault management - diagnosis
Topic: Cost Benefit Analysis
Summary:

Whole life costing; cost benefit analysis for innovation; use cases on track and inspection

Project examples: S&C, Autonom, Track geometry - localised tamping, CBA tools for innovation - use case on tunnel robot
Topic: Big Data Interrogation and Visualisation
Summary:

Data management, quality assessment, track and vehicle data assessment, visualisation, diagnostics, battery life estimation, fault detection

Project examples: Wheel slip, Engine data, Doors, Track geometry indicators; gauge; twist, cyclic top
Topic: Mapping for asset management
Summary:

Mapping and data exchange repositories through UKCRIC, national infrastructure research database

Project examples: DAFNI - Data & Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure
Topic: Modelling
Summary:

Chassis design, materials

Project examples:

Fact File (2019-20)

20 Research staff
10 PhD students
10 Masters students
10 grants awarded for a total value of £3.3m
10 papers published

Capability matrix

From training engineers to developing world-leading technologies, BCRRE collaborate with industry and academia to drive UK and global rail innovation.
CAPABILITY
CAPABILITY LEVEL
Infrastructure
Electrification
Track Design and Components
Structures
Earthworks and geotechnics
Control, command and signalling
Communication networks and technologies
Station design
Depots / yards
infrastructure testing
Condition monitoring and inspection
Asset management
Maintenance
Station Design for Security
Rolling Stock
Component design
Structures and crashworthiness
Testing
Maintenance
Condition monitoring and inspection
Asset management
Comfort / ride quality
Traction / train borne energy
Onboard IT
Train control and onboard diagnosis
Fire performance
Braking systems
Tribology
Operations
Train control and signalling
Level crossings / road-rail interfaces
Traffic management
Timetable optimisation
Revenue management
Telematics / data structures
Customer services for passengers
Customer services for freight
Safety management
Security management
Station management
Other
Technical systems integration and interaction
Aerodynamics
Noise and vibration
Electromagnetic Compatibility
Pantograph catenary interaction
3rd rail collector shoe interaction
Wheel rail interface
Vehicle track dynamics
Whole system design and modelling
Whole system reliability
Cross-system technologies
Other
Weather and climate change
Adaptation to climate change
Extreme temperatures
Flooding
Extreme precipitation
High winds
Met Office Collaboration, and De-icing Switches and Third Rail
Human Factors
Human performance
Selection and training
Health
Human reliability
Job design
Environmental design
Attitudes and behaviours
Human factors in railway level crossing crashes
Policy and decision making
Risk evaluation and assessment
Interoperability
Economic analysis and evaluation
Sustainable development
Enabling Innovation
Market research
Social dynamics of transport
Commercial dynamics of transport
Legal and regulatory frameworks
Other

Education and Professional Development

Postgraduate Courses

Through-life Systems Sustainment (inc apprenticeship route)

Maintenance and Asset Management

Safety and crash investigation (rail option)

PhD opportunitiesYes

Location key contacts

Name: Andrew Starr, Professor of Maintenance Systems
Email: a.starr@cranfield.ac.uk

Website
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