Educational Foundation and scholarships

Railway Track and Structures, Dec, 2004 by Walter L. Heide

As the year comes to an end, we reflect on the accomplishments we made and look forward to our goals for the coming new year. It is also the time when our hearts and minds look at the last opportunity of the year to donate to our favorite charity or foundation, as we consider how we can help others in need.

The AREMA Educational Foundation is a tax-exempt, charitable organization established to promote educational activities related to railway engineering. As our brochure states, "The Foundation provides scholarships to engineering students who are specializing in the railway industry and supports other educational and training endeavors that help to ensure the future of the profession." It is very important that we look to the college students who have an interest in being a part of the railway industry and encourage them to participate in the future. We need to make sure that the public understands the importance of the railway system and promote the industry as a good place to work. As many of you know, most of the present railroad work force is in its prime and will be retiring over the next five to 10 years. The necessity of having new professional people with engineering educational backgrounds will be critical to continue the advancements of the technical requirements of the industry. AREMA will be there to provide knowledge and experiences, as well as support, through the Educational Foundation.

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At our recent Annual Conference and Exposition in Nashville, we were delighted to announce the year's winners of the Educational Foundation scholarships. Two students received $1,000 scholarships to continue their studies in engineering. William S. Graham, a student at Kettering University in Georgia, is working toward a degree in mechanical engineering and Joshua A. Sweley, a student at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, is working toward a degree in civil engineering.

Thanks to the kind donation of the BNSF Foundation, AREMA was able to distribute three additional scholarships for $500 and two for $250. The $500 scholarships went to Brian Ferencak and Amanda Bordelon from the University of Illinois and W. Casey Harman from Washington State University. The $250 scholarships went to Robert T. Harris from the University of Alabama and Benjamin R. Sperry from the University of Evansville.

We also had an additional scholarship, thanks to AREMA member Belknap Freeman and an anonymous donor, in the amount of $4,000 given to Philip Cuadra at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. This scholarship gives particular emphasis to the communications and signals sector of railway engineering and is restricted to a student in electrical engineering at Carnegie Mellon. In addition to recognizing the scholarship winners at the Annual Conference, it was great to see a number of students at the Conference, most of whom were from the University of Illinois and the University of Kentucky. Thanks to Professors Chris Barkan from UI and Jerry Rose from UK for having the students attend the Conference.

The AREMA Educational Foundation is an excellent way to participate in providing assistance to college students who are interested in railway engineering. Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible as charitable contributions for taxpayers in the U.S.A. and may also be deductible for Canadian taxpayers. Please consult your tax advisor. The Foundation is also able to accept corporate contributions, gifts and bequests. Contributions can be made payable to AREMA Educational Foundation and sent to our headquarters in Landover, Md. I would encourage you to invest in the future of railway engineering.

Thanks and have a wonderful holiday and happy New Year.

Ask John

A new feature from Committee 10 -Structures, Maintenance & Construction. If you have something to ask John, send questions to John Horney at askjohn@arema.org.

I have a deterioration of steel below waterline that appears to be caused by micro bacteria. It appears as if we have lost structural strength of the steel and I would like to know if there are repair methodologies that could be incorporated to repair the damage and restore structural integrity without removing the steel members?

There are two methods of repairs of deteriorated steel piles due to micro bacteria: First, if there is not a significant loss of section strength there are marine coatings that can be applied underwater to stop the bacterial growth. Typically the coatings used in the past have been very expensive. However, new technologies have been developed over the past two years that use a two-part coating that is applied underwater.

Second, if there is significant loss-of-section strength, pile jackets can be installed by experienced divers. These flexible pile jackets are fabricated using tube-shaped nylon forms that zip up the side. The flexible nylon forms need to have a hold-off system to ensure a uniform annular space around the steel. Once the flexible nylon form is properly installed, flowable, high-strength mortar is pumped into the nylon form. Typically, this pile jacketing technique can be expected to achieve the same structural strength as the original pile, but not greater than the original structural member. These pile jackets can also be used to repair timber and concrete piles and structures.