Scientific and research activity

Scientific and research works are carried out by Industry Research Laboratory of Rail Seats and Special Reinforced Concrete (IRL-6) and the Industry Research Laboratory of Corrosion and Corrosion Protection of Railway Constructions and Structures (IRL-60), in close cooperation with the Industry Research Laboratory «Continuous Welded Rail Track» (IRL-67), Transport Construction Diagnosis Centre (TCDS), and the Department Of Railway Tracks And Transport Facilities and Department Of Structural Mechanics And Hydraulics.

Research activities are carried out with funding from the state budget and under contractual agreements commissioned by: JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia”, RPE “Croopariton KRT”, Ltd, PJSC “Kyiv-Dniprovskyi Inter-Industrial Railway Transport Enterprise”, RPE “ Severodonetsk Fiberglass T”, Ltd., AVESTA energy resource, Ltd. etc.

Ongoing Research Projects

Funded by the State Budget:

• Theoretical and Experimental Foundations for the Development of Concrete Products with Composite Reinforcement Resistant to Electrical and Dynamic Effects for the Construction and Rehabilitation of Electrified Railway Sections Principal Investigator – Prof. A.A. Plugin (Project No. 6/2-2026Б)

Funded under Contractual Agreements:

• Revision of DBN V.2.3-19:2018 Transport Structures. 1520 mm Gauge Railways. Design Standards (6/7-22)
• Development of DBN Transport Structures. 1435 mm Gauge Railways. Design Standards (67/3-22)
• Operational testing of under-rail rubber pads of types PRP-4 and PRP-4.K as components of intermediate rail fastening systems KPP-5 and KPP-5.K (67/2-21)
• Development of amendments to DSTU B V.2.6-209:2016 Prestressed Reinforced Concrete Sleepers for 1520 mm and 1435 mm Gauge Railways. Technical Specifications (6/11-20)
• Development of regulatory documentation: Resource Elemental Cost Estimate Standards for Construction Works. Railways (6/19-19)

Research Areas in Recent Years

Fundamental and applied research projects funded by the state budget:

• 9/10-2022Б – Theoretical and Experimental Foundations for the Development of Composite Materials Based on Mineral Binders for Protection Against Electrocorrosion and Repair of Railway Transport Structures
• 6/2-2020Б – Development of Theoretical Foundations and Experimental Validation of New Effective Methods to Increase Bearing Capacity and Waterproofing of Railway Embankment Soils
• 6/2-2015Б – Development of Theoretical Foundations for the Occurrence and Prevention of Stability Failures in Earth and Other Structures
• 6/2-2012Б – Advancement of Theoretical Foundations and Experimental Studies of Landslide Mitigation Measures, Technological Solutions, and Materials
• 6/2-2010Б – Development of Theoretical Foundations and Experimental Studies on the Effects of Leakage and Stray Currents on Concrete, Reinforced Concrete, and Masonry Structures
• 6/2-2008Б – Development of Theoretical and Experimental Foundations for the Protection of Railway Structures Against Electrocorrosion
• 6/2-2004Б – Development of Theoretical and Experimental Foundations of Colloid-Chemical and Electrochemical Methods for Stabilizing Loose and Liquefiable Soils and Structures Built on Them
• 6/2-2000Б – Theoretical and Experimental Research on the Development of New Materials and Means of Protecting Metallic Bridges and Other Structures from Corrosion
• 6/2-1997Б – Development of Theoretical Foundations for the Durability of Artificial Structures in Railway Transport
• 6/2-1994Б – Development and Creation of New Theoretical Foundations for Non-Traditional Materials and Products for Railway Transport Based on Industrial Waste and Polymers in Ukraine

Applied Research Projects Conducted under Contractual Agreements

2025–2022

• Investigation of the feasibility of approving deviations from DBN V.2.3-19 construction standards during the reconstruction of passenger platforms 3, 4, 5, and 6 at Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi Station.
• Study of stiffness and crack resistance of prestressed reinforced concrete sleepers with anchored bar reinforcement, and comparison with sleepers reinforced with high-strength wire.
• Feasibility studies for approving deviations from DBN V.2.3-19 during the reconstruction of the platform yard at Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi Station.
• Operational testing of under-rail rubber pads.
• Operational testing of anchor fasteners embedded in reinforced concrete sleepers.

2021–2019

• Assessment of technical condition, preparation of technical passports, and development of maintenance and traffic management instructions for access tracks.
• Investigation of cast polymer composites for monolithic and prefabricated reinforced concrete tram track superstructures.
• Evaluation of the effect of concrete class on the compressive strength, performance, and service life of SB3-0 prestressed reinforced concrete sleepers.
• Technical condition assessment of production building structures at depots.
• Study of structural, technological, and operational factors affecting crack formation in SB3-type sleepers.
• Assessment of the technical condition of railway overpass structures on access tracks.
• Engineering and geological surveys for reconstruction of buildings on developed sites.
• Testing of joint insulator polymer composite rail pads.

2018–2012

• Research and development of recommendations for improving thermal insulation of enclosing structures in railway buildings.
• Development of technical specifications for experimental batches of tram track components: K1, K2 monolithic and J1, J2 PVS units for monolithic and prefabricated reinforced concrete superstructures.
• Development of technical specifications for double-block support elements for reinforced concrete prefabricated-monolithic tram track bases.

2011

• Engineering and geological surveys of foundations for service-technical buildings at Cherednychky and Kagamlytska stations of the Southern Railway.
• Development and testing of new design solutions for electrocorrosion protection of structures supporting overhead contact lines.
• Research and recommendations for protection and reinforcement of passenger platforms on electrified railway sections.
• Survey and development of capital repair project solutions for service-technical buildings at Cherednychky and Kagamlytska stations.
• Assessment of the technical condition of reinforced concrete structures of the Avanhard Stadium, Luhansk.

2010

• Survey and development of preliminary design solutions for the Kyslivka station post and station building.
• Research on corrosion of track superstructure elements in railway tunnels, determination of service life, and development of protective measures.
• Survey and testing of overpass structures at Lozova Station (928 km section of Kharkiv–Lozova), including evaluation of load-bearing capacity.
• Development of VBN standards for protection of railway building structures from aggressive actions.
• Research and development of effective methods for soil stabilization under railway buildings and structures.
• Testing of concrete samples from hydraulic structures of the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station.

2009–2007

• Expansion of statistical data for developing departmental construction standards for protection of railway structures against aggressive influences.
• Research and recommendations for protection and reinforcement of station complex structures affected by combined effects of electric current, vibration, and groundwater.
• Investigation of cracking in ballastless bridge deck slabs and development of guidelines to ensure crack resistance.
• Research and standardization of electrical resistance of concrete and reinforced concrete sleepers, including measurement and monitoring methodology.
• Recommendations for protection of operational structures from aggressive actions.
• Research and recommendations for the use of plasticizers and hardening accelerators in reinforced concrete sleepers and ballastless bridge deck slabs.

2006–2003

• Recommendations for reducing and eliminating cracking in wooden sleepers and beams.
• Research and development of railway embankment diagnostic technologies for Ukrzaliznytsia.
• Research and recommendations for reconstruction of waterlogged tunnels using modern materials, superplasticizers, membranes, and waterproof concrete.
• Recommendations for waterproofing reinforced concrete bridge spans using modern materials.
• Development of technological processes and drawings for equipment to repair Sh-1-1 type reinforced concrete sleepers.
• Guidelines for the use of ballastless bridge decks on reinforced concrete slabs of metal span structures.
• Instructions for grouting operations in tunnels.
• Development of technical specifications for contact network support poles.
• Guidelines for using chemical additives in general-purpose and transport-purpose concretes and mortars.
• Measures to improve the durability of bridge structures and protect them from corrosion.

Publications and Scientific Achievements

The results of fundamental and applied research conducted by the Department are published in scientific monographs, textbooks, articles in peer-reviewed journals, collections of research papers, and conference proceedings, where the findings are presented in scientific reports.

The main achievements of the Department’s researchers over recent decades are largely associated with the development of the scientific school of Prof. A.M. Plugin, who was awarded the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology in 2008.

Main Directions of the Scientific School:

• Fundamental and Applied Research: Development of the theory of mineral binder hardening considering electro-surface properties and phenomena (electroheterogeneous theory of hardening). Mechanism of non-pressure water permeability in concrete. Mechanism of excessive long-term and repeated rapidly accelerating creep of concrete. Development of concrete composition theory. Development of the theory of corrosion and electrocorrosion of concrete and reinforced concrete, taking into account electro-surface properties and phenomena.
• Applied Developments: Methods for determining concrete compositions with enhanced water impermeability and crack resistance. Superplasticized cement-water suspension (SPCWS) for cementing structures and rock masses. Polymer-composite protective coatings. Design and technological solutions for repair, strengthening, and protection of structures and buildings.

Researchers at the Department defend dissertations and participate in scientific competitions. Winners of the «Best Young Scientist of Kharkiv Region» competition include: Associate Professor A.V. Nikitinsky (2007); Associate Professor V.A. Luty (2008); Senior Lecturer O.S. Herasymenko (2009).

The development «New Technologies for Railway Bridge Repair» received a winner’s diploma in the Applied Research category of the «Education, Science, and Industry of Kharkiv Region – 2003» competition.

As a result of research conducted by postgraduate students and staff, and/or under the supervision of the Department’s scientists, over 100 dissertations have been successfully defended, including:

02.00.11 – Colloid Chemistry

05.23.01 – Building Structures, Buildings and Constructions

05.23.05 – Building Materials and Products

192 – Construction and Civil Engineering