Challenge 1

1. Why is a metro rail needed in countries with developing economy? What is your basic understanding on the differences between a conventional rail system and a metro rail system?

Ans. In order to alleviate traffic congestion and environmental pollution, metro rail is an excellent option. The fundamental distinction between conventional rail and metro is that ground-only travel is most frequently the only route used by conventional train. While metros can be on the ground, above ground, or both. Additionally, metros may traverse steeper inclines than traditional railway systems.

2. The course depicts the data regarding the operational and upcoming metro rail projects of India with reference to the statistics of latest by August 2019. Research and provide the current statistics of metro rail operations in India. At the end you can identify the necessary of metro rail transit system followed by you will be able to resonate/analyze the feasibility of metro rail to one’s own city.

Ans. India's running metro system has a total length of roughly 700km. 550 more kilometres are now being built, and 490 more are currently approved for future construction. With nearly 350km of running lines, DMRC has the longest running length of any metro in India.

3. Why DMRC is the busiest metro in India. Apart from the points mentioned in the course video. You can find several interesting facts on the internet. Please research and provide your learnings.

Ans. With nearly 350km of running lines, DMRC has the longest running length of any metro in India. In Hyderabad, the immediate second is only 65 kilometres. It is the busiest metro in India due to its enormous size.

4. What are the components of a Metro rail? Explain briefly about the concepts of the components?

Ans. Pile foundation, pier-piercap, bearings, superstructure span, plinth beam, rail fixutures, electrification system etc.

5. Elevated metro or Underground metro which metro rail system shall be preferred? Justify your choice of the system.

Ans. In an ideal world, both accomplish the same thing. Underground metros are not recommended, though, as diverting through the numerous existing utilities then provides a significant issue. Metros are typically needed in cities that have already developed.

6. What is a Design Basis Report (DBR)? In which phase of a project a DBR is prepared?

Ans. DBR is a standard document prepared at start of each project. It gives the codal standards applicable, the loads and load combinations to be follows, standard dimension constraints of structure are given.

7. What is significance of a DBR of an elevated metro?

Ans. DBR is the document that consolidates all the details to be followed in a project. It helps in avpiding any conflicts in design at a later stage.

8. In the planning of metro project, what are the chronology of activities before the construction.

Ans. Topography survey, Utility surbey, Alignment finalization, span configuration, design optimization and further span configuartion if required.

9. What is topographical survey? Why it is necessary for the metro rail project?

Ans. Topo survey helps to identify the geographical features to fix alignment. Also, identifies exisitng building, obstructions etc. The topography is crucial since it will aid in finalising the alignments with the least possible disruption to already-existing structures and utilities.

10. What are the hindrances that could be there whilst planning to connect any to two stations in a city during metro construction?

Ans. Many existing ground utilities, private or public lands, existing infrastructure etc can cause hinrances.

11. What are underground utilities which would be there existing under the ground level. Also mention some other utilities apart from the ones mentioned in the course.

Ans. Water lines, sewere lines, electric cables, fibre optic lines etc.

12. Mention in detail about the solutions a designer would be suggesting as the challenges of underground utilities.

Ans. Shifting the utlity, changing span configuration, desigining protective measures for utility.

13. What is known as feeding of U-girders and how it is launched during construction?

Ans. Feeding of U girders is basically placement of U girders in a pre-determined sequence, with help of suitable capacity crane. The crane is used to lift the U girder from trailer and then placed on piercaps.

14. What are advantages of precast girders in an elevated metro? Explain in detail about the how it is efficient over the cast in-situ girders?

Ans. Precast elements are cast in a controlled environment, with better quality control than in situ locations. The space required of cast in situ staging shuttering etc is thus avoided. This is better in heavy traffic areas.