Research and Testing

The South Branch Valley Railroad has placed a group of experimental crossties in its main track as part of a multiphase project being conducted by the Constructed Facilities Center of West Virginia University. Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) fabric has been wrapped around and affixed to the heavily loaded areas of the crossties to see if the FRP wrapping can extend the useful life of crossties. Applying this fabric to used or industrial grade ties could provide a cost savings to railroads. Another project is studying how FRP wrapping can be used to strengthen timer railroad bridges.  For more information, contact WVU’s Constructed Facility Center at 304-293-7608.