Marcus Dersch, Ph.D., P.E.

Senior Principal Research Engineer
Co-Director of Research, National University Rail Center of Excellence (NURail CoE)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1243 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, MC-250
205 N. Mathews Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
Tel: (217) 333-6232

Marcus Dersch, Ph.D., P.E. joined RailTEC in 2011 and is currently a Principal Research Engineer. He holds a B.S. (2009), M.S. (2010) and Ph.D (2022) in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While pursuing his degrees, he completed research in Railroad Engineering focusing on fouled railroad ballast performance and ballast performance improvement techniques. Marcus worked for Union Pacific Railroad as an engineering intern in 2008, obtained his Professional Engineer’s License in 2015, and is the former Chairman of AREMA Committee 30 (Ties and Fasteners) (2020-2023). Marcus’ current research interests are railway crosstie and fastener design, longitudinal rail stress management, and railroad ballast performance.

Current RailTEC Associations

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RailTEC Publications

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Journal Articles

2020

Bastos, J.C., M.S. Dersch and J.R. Edwards. 2020. Statistical prediction of center negative bending capacity of pretensioned concrete crossties. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems. doi:10.1177/0954409719854569.
Dersch, M.S., M. Trizotto Silva, J.R. Edwards, A. de O. Lima and T.A. Roadcap. 2020. Analytical method to estimate railroad spike fastener stress. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2674 (11): 379-389. doi:10.1177/0361198120949259.
Dersch, M.S., M. Trizotto Silva, J.R. Edwards, A. de O. Lima and T.A. Roadcap. 2020. Analytical method to estimate railroad spike fastener stress. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. doi:10.1177/0361198120949259.

2019

Branson, J.M., M.S. Dersch, A. de O. Lima, J.R. Edwards and J.C. Bastos. 2019. Identification of the under-tie pad material characteristics for stress state reduction. Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. doi:10.1177/0954409719890156.
Branson, J.M., M.S. Dersch, A. de O. Lima, J.R. Edwards and J-Y. Kim. 2019. Analysis of geometric ballast plate for laboratory testing of resilient track components. Transportation Geotechnics. 20 (100240).
Canga Ruiz, A.E., Y. Qian, J.R. Edwards and M.S. Dersch. 2019. Analysis of the temperature effect on concrete crosstie flexural behavior. Construction and Building Materials. 196: 362-374. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.11.065.
Canga Ruiz, A.E., Y. Qian, J.R. Edwards and M.S. Dersch. 2019. Probabilistic framework for the assessment of the flexural design of concrete sleepers. Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. doi:10.1177/0954409719854569.
Dersch, M.S., T.A. Roadcap, J.R. Edwards, Y. Qian, J-Y. Kim and M. Trizotto Silva. 2019. Investigation into the effect of lateral and longitudinal loads on railroad spike stress magnitude and location using finite element analysis. Engineering Failure Analysis. 104 (2019): 388-398. doi:10.1016/j.engfailanal.2019.06.009.
Edwards, J.R., Y. Liang, J.C. Bastos and M.S. Dersch. 2019. Development of a parametric model for the prediction of concrete railway crosstie service bending moments. Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. doi:10.1177/0954409719888068.
Qian, Y., M.S. Dersch, Z. Gao and J.R. Edwards. 2019. Railroad infrastructure 4.0: Development and application of an automatic ballast support condition assessment system. Transportation Geotechnics. 19: 19-34. doi:10.1016/j.trgeo.2019.01.002.

2018

Bastos, J.C., A. Alvarez Reyes, M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards and C.P.L. Barkan. 2018. Laboratory characterization of structural capacity of North American heavy haul concrete crossties. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2672 (10): 116-124. doi:10.1177/0361198118782250.
Bastos, J.C., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch and B.O. Andrawes. 2018. Laboratory analysis of track gauge restraining capacity of center-cracked railway concrete sleepers with various support conditions. Engineering Failure Analysis. 94: 354-363. doi:10.1016/j.engfailanal.2018.08.018.
Edwards, J.R., A.A. Cook, M.S. Dersch and Y. Qian. 2018. Quantification of rail transit wheel loads and development of improved dynamic and impact loading factors for design. Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, Part F. 232 (10): 2406-2417. doi:10.1177/0954409718770924.
Edwards, J.R., A.E. Canga Ruiz, A.A. Cook, M.S. Dersch and Y. Qian. 2018. Quantifying bending moments in rail-transit concrete sleepers. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems. 144 (3): 04018003. doi:10.1061/JTEPBS.0000125.
Lima, A. de O., M.S. Dersch, E. Tutumluer, J.R. Edwards and Y. Qian. 2018. Support condition and traffic loading patterns influencing laboratory determination of under-ballast mat bedding modulus and insertion loss. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2672 (10): 74-84. doi:10.1177/0361198118793501.
Lima, A. de O., M.S. Dersch, Y. Qian, E. Tutumluer and J.R. Edwards. 2018. Laboratory fatigue performance of under-ballast mats under varying loads and support conditions. Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, Part F. doi:10.1177/0954409718795920.
Lin, X., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch, T.A. Roadcap and C.J. Ruppert, Jr. 2018. Load quantification of the wheel-rail interface of rail vehicles for the infrastructure of light rail, heavy rail, and commuter rail transit. Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. 232 (2): 596-605. doi:10.1177/0954409716684266.
Quiros Orozco, R.J., J.R. Edwards, Y. Qian and M.S. Dersch. 2018. Quantification of loading environment and flexural demand of prestressed concrete crossties under shared corridor operating conditions. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2672 (10): 136-145. doi:10.1177/0361198118793500.

2017

Bastos, J.C., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards and B.O. Andrawes. 2017. Flexural behavior of concrete crossties under different support conditions. American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Transportation Engineering. 143 (12): 04017064. doi:10.1061/JTEPBS.0000097.
Edwards, J.R., Z. Gao, H. Wolf, M.S. Dersch and Y. Qian. 2017. Quantification of concrete railway sleeper bending moments using surface strain gauges. Measurement - Journal of the International Measurement Confederation. 111: 197-207.
Gao, Z., Y. Qian, M.S. Dersch and J.R. Edwards. 2017. Compressive stress distribution in prestressed concrete and its effect on railroad crosstie design. Construction and Building Materials. 151: 147-157. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.186.
Holder, D.E., M.V. Csenge, Y. Qian, M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards and B.J. Van Dyk. 2017. Laboratory investigation of the Skl-style fastening system's lateral load performance under heavy haul freight railroad loads. Engineering Structures. 139 (2017): 71-80. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.02.039.
Van Dyk, B.J., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch, C.J. Ruppert, Jr. and C.P.L. Barkan. 2017. Evaluation of dynamic and impact wheel load factors and their application in design processes. Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. 231 (1): 33-43. doi:10.1177/0954409715619454.

2016

Greve, M.J., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.P.L. Barkan, J. Mediavilla and B. Wilson. 2016. Effect of particle intrusion on rail seat load distributions on heavy haul freight railroads. International Journal of Rail Transportation. 4 (2): 98-112. doi:10.1080/23248378.2016.1157048.
Van Dyk, B.J., A.J. Scheppe, J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch and C.P.L. Barkan. 2016. Methods for quantifying rail seat loads and a review of previous experimentation. Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. 230 (3): 935-945. doi:10.1177/0954409715569862.
Wolf, H., Y. Qian, J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch and D.A. Lange. 2016. Temperature-induced curl behavior of prestressed concrete and its effect on railroad crossties. Construction and Building Materials. 115 (2016): 319-326. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.04.039.

2015

Greve, M.J., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.P.L. Barkan, H. Thompson, T.R. Sussmann, Jr. and M.T. McHenry. 2015. Examination of the effect of concrete crosstie rail seat deterioration on rail seat load distribution. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2476: 1-7. doi:10.3141/2476-01.
Williams, B.W., D.E. Holder, J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch and C.P.L. Barkan. 2015. Quantification of the lateral forces in concrete sleeper fastening systems. Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. 230 (7): 1714-1721. doi:10.1177/0954409715616997.

2014

Kernes, R.G., A.A. Shurpali, J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch, D.A. Lange and C.P.L. Barkan. 2014. Investigation of the mechanics of rail seat deterioration and methods to improve the abrasion resistance of concrete sleeper rail seats. Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. 228 (6): 581-589. doi:10.1177/0954409714530911.
Van Dyk, B.J., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.J. Ruppert, Jr. and C.P.L. Barkan. 2014. Load characterization techniques and overview of loading environment in North America. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2448: 80-86. doi:10.3141/2448-10.

2013

Rapp, C.T., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.P.L. Barkan, B. Wilson and J. Mediavilla. 2013. Measuring rail seat pressure distribution in concrete crossties: experiments with matrix-based tactile surface sensors. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2374 (1): 190-200. doi:10.3141/2374-22.

Conference Proceedings

2021

Khachaturian, C.J., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards and M. Trizotto Silva. 2021. Effect of Longitudinal Fastener Stiffness and Fastening System Loading. In: Proceedings of the 2021 Joint Rail Conferece. Virtual, April 20-21, 2021.

2018

Bastos, J.C., A. Alvarez Reyes, M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards and C.P.L. Barkan. 2018. Laboratory Characterization of Structural Capacity of North American Heavy Haul Concrete Crossties. In: Proceedings of Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Conference. Washington, DC. doi:10.1177/0361198118782250.
Lima, A. de O., M.S. Dersch, E. Tutumluer, J.R. Edwards and Y. Qian. 2018. Support Condition and Traffic Loading Patterns Influencing Laboratory Determination of Under Ballast Mat Bedding Modulus and Insertion Loss. In: Proceedings of Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Conference. Washington, DC. doi:10.1177/0361198118793501.
Quiros Orozco, R.J., J.R. Edwards, Y. Qian and M.S. Dersch. 2018. Quantification of Loading Environment and Flexural Demand of Prestressed Concrete Crossties under Shared Corridor Operating Conditions. In: Proceedings of Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Conference. Washington, DC. doi:10.1177/0361198118793500.

2017

Bastos, J.C., A. Alvarez Reyes, M.S. Dersch and J.R. Edwards. 2017. Development of a New Load-deflection Method for Characterization of North American Heavy Haul Concrete Sleepers. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Heavy Haul Association Conference. Cape Town, South Africa.
Canga Ruiz, A.E., M.V. Csenge, J.R. Edwards, Y. Qian and M.S. Dersch. 2017. Quantification of Rail Displacements Under Light Rail Transit Field Loading Conditions. In: Proceedings of the 2017 Joint Rail Conference. Philadelphia, PA. doi:10.1115/JRC2017-2277.
Gao, Z., M.S. Dersch, Y. Qian and J.R. Edwards. 2017. Effect of Track Conditions on the Flexural Performance of Concrete Sleepers on Heavy-haul Freight Railroads. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Heavy Haul Association Conference. Cape Town, South Africa.
Gao, Z., M.S. Dersch, Y. Qian, M.V. Csenge and J.R. Edwards. 2017. Use of Ballast Support Condition Back-Calculator for Quantification of Ballast Pressure Distribution Under Concrete Sleepers. In: 10th International Conference on the Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways and Airfields. Athens, Greece.
Holder, B.G.J., Y. Qian, M.S. Dersch and J.R. Edwards. 2017. Lateral Load Performance of Concrete Sleeper Fastening Systems Under Non-ideal Conditions. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Heavy Haul Association Conference. Cape Town, South Africa.
Lima, A. de O., M.S. Dersch, Y. Qian, E. Tutumluer and J.R. Edwards. 2017. Laboratory Evaluation of Under-ballast Mat Effectiveness to Mitigate Differential Movement Problem in Railway Transition Zones. In: 10th International Conference on the Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways and Airfields. Athens, Greece. doi:10.1201/9781315100333-279.
Lima, A. de O., M.S. Dersch, Y. Qian, E. Tutumluer and J.R. Edwards. 2017. Laboratory Mechanical Fatigue Performance of Under-ballast Mats Subjected to North American loading Conditions. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Heavy Haul Association Conference. Cape Town, South Africa.

2016

Bastos, J.C., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards and B.O. Andrawes. 2016. Determination of the Influences of Deteriorated Track Conditions on Gauge Widening in Concrete Sleeper Track. In: Proceedings of the 11th World Congress on Railway Research. Milan, Italy. June 2016.
Csenge, M.V., Y. Qian, M.S. Dersch and J.R. Edwards. 2016. Resilient Concrete Crosstie and Fastening System Designs for Light Rail, Heavy Rail, and Commuter Rail Transit Infrastructure. In: Proceedings of the 11th World Congress on Railway Research. Milan, Italy.
Gao, Z., H. Wolf, M.S. Dersch, Y. Qian and J.R. Edwards. 2016. Field Measurements and Proposed Analysis of Concrete Crosstie Bending Moments. In: Proceedings of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association Annual Conference. Orlando, FL.
Ghosh, A., J.R. Edwards and M.S. Dersch. 2016. Effect of Design Rail Cant on Concrete Crosstie Rail Seat Pressure Distribution. In: Proceedings of the 2016 Joint Rail Conference. Columbia, SC. doi:10.1115/JRC2016-5793.
Holder, D.E., Y. Qian, M.V. Csenge, J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch and B.J. Van Dyk. 2016. Comparison of Lateral Load Performance of Concrete Crosstie Heavy Haul Fastening Systems. In: Proceedings of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association Annual Conference. Orlando, FL.
Lin, X., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch and C.J. Ruppert, Jr. 2016. Load Quantification for Light Rail, Heavy Rail, and Commuter Rail Transit Infrastructure. In: Proceedings of the 11th World Congress on Railway Research. Milan, Italy.
Wolf, H., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch, Y. Qian and D.A. Lange. 2016. Field Measurement of Bending Moments in Prestressed Concrete Monoblock Sleepers. In: Proceedings of the 11th World Congress on Railway Research. Milan, Italy.

2015

Bastos, J.C., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards and C.P.L. Barkan. 2015. Determination of Critical Track Conditions and their Impact on the Performance of Concrete Crossties and Fastening Systems. In: Proceedings of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association Annual Conference. Minneapolis, MN.
Csenge, M.V., H. Wolf, M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, R.G. Kernes and M.J. Gutierrez Romero. 2015. Exploration of Alternatives for Prestressed Concrete Monoblock Crosstie Design Based on Flexural Capacity. In: Proceedings of the 2015 Joint Rail Conference. San Jose, CA. doi:10.1115/JRC2015-5683.
Csenge, M.V., X. Lin, H. Wolf, M.S. Dersch and J.R. Edwards. 2015. Mechanistic Design of Concrete Monoblock Crossties for Rail Transit Loading Conditions. In: American Public Transportation Association 2015 Rail Conference. Salt Lake City, UT.
Greve, M.J., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards and C.P.L. Barkan. 2015. Evaluation of Laboratory and Field Experimentation Characterizing Concrete Crosstie Rail Seat Load Distributions. In: Proceedings of the 2015 Joint Rail Conference. San Jose, CA. doi:10.1115/JRC2015-5685.
Greve, M.J., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.P.L. Barkan, J. Mediavilla and B. Wilson. 2015. The Effect of Particle Intrusion on Rail Seat Load Distributions on Heavy Haul Freight Railroads. In: Proceedings of the International Heavy Haul Association Conference. Perth, Australia.
Holder, D.E., B.W. Williams, M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards and C.P.L. Barkan. 2015. Quantification of Lateral Forces in Concrete Sleeper Fastening Systems Under Heavy Haul Freight Loads. In: Proceedings of the International Heavy Haul Association Conference. Perth, Australia.
Scheppe, A.J., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch and C.P.L. Barkan. 2015. Quantifying Lateral Wheel Loading Variation Using Truck Performance Detectors. In: Proceedings of Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Conference. Washington, DC.
Williams, B.W., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards and C.P.L. Barkan. 2015. Quantification of Lateral Forces in Concrete Crosstie Fastening Systems. In: Proceedings of Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Conference. Washington, DC.
Wolf, H., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch and C.P.L. Barkan. 2015. Flexural Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Monoblock Sleepers for Heavy-haul Applications: Methodologies and Sensitivity to Support Conditions. In: Proceedings of the International Heavy Haul Association Conference. Perth, Australia.
Wolf, H., S. Mattson, J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch and C.P.L. Barkan. 2015. Flexural Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Monoblock Crossties: Comparison of Current Methodologies and Sensitivity to Support Conditions. In: Proceedings of the 94th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board. Washington, DC.

2014

Greve, M.J., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.P.L. Barkan, J. Mediavilla and B.M. Wilson. 2014. Analysis of the Relationship Between Rail Seat Load Distribution and Rail Seat Deterioration in Concrete Crossties. In: Proceedings of the 2014 Joint Rail Conference. Colorado Springs, CO.
Manda, K.R., M.S. Dersch, R.G. Kernes, J.R. Edwards and D.A. Lange. 2014. Vertical Load Path under Static and Dynamic Loads in Concrete Crosstie and Fastening Systems. In: Proceedings of the 2014 Joint Rail Conference. Colorado Springs, CO.
Van Dyk, B.J., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.J. Ruppert, Jr. and C.P.L. Barkan. 2014. Evaluation of Dynamic and Impact Wheel Load Factors and their Application for Design. In: Proceedings of Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Conference. Washington, DC.
Wei, S., D.A. Kuchma, J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch and R.G. Kernes. 2014. Gauging of Concrete Crossties to Investigate Load Path in Laboratory and Field Testing. In: Proceedings of the 2014 Joint Rail Conference. Colorado Springs, CO. doi:10.1115/JRC2014-3840.
Williams, B.W., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch, C.P.L. Barkan and R.G. Kernes. 2014. Experimental Field Investigation of the Effects of Lateral Load Distribution on Concrete Crosstie Track. In: Proceedings of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association Annual Conference. Chicago, IL.

2013

Grassé, J.S, S. Wei, J.R. Edwards, D. Kuchma, D.A. Lange and M.S. Dersch. 2013. Investigating the Concrete Crosstie and Fastening System Load Path Through Field Instrumentation. In: Proceedings of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association Annual Conference. Indianapolis, IN, September 2013, pp. 223-247.
Greve, M.J., C.T. Rapp, M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.P.L. Barkan, J. Mediavilla and B. Wilson. 2013. Quantification of Concrete Sleeper and Elastic Fastening System Demands Utilizing Concrete Sleeper Rail Seat Contact Area. In: Proceedings of the 10th World Congress on Railway Research. Sydney, Australia.
Rapp, C.T., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.P.L. Barkan, J.R. Mediavilla and B. Wilson. 2013. Measuring Concrete Sleeper Rail Seat Pressure Distribution with Matrix Based Tactile Surface Sensors. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Heavy Haul Association Conference. New Delhi, India.
Shin, M., Z. Chen, B.O. Andrawes, R.G. Kernes, M.S. Dersch and J.R. Edwards. 2013. Finite Element Models of Prestressed Concrete Sleepers and Fastening Systems in North America. In: Proceedings of the 10th World Congress on Railway Research. Sydney, Australia.
Shurpali, A.A., R.G. Kernes, J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch, D.A. Lange and C.P.L. Barkan. 2013. Investigation of the Mechanics of Rail Seat Deterioration (RSD) and Methods to Improve the Abrasion Resistance of Concrete Sleeper Rail Seats. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Heavy Haul Association Conference (This article is not available electronically.). New Delhi, India.
Van Dyk, B.J., C.T. Rapp, M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.J. Ruppert, Jr. and C.P.L. Barkan. 2013. Evaluation of Existing Loading Environment in North America for Improved Concrete Sleepers and Fastening Systems. In: Proceedings of the 10th World Congress on Railway Research. Sydney, Australia.
Van Dyk, B.J., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.J. Ruppert, Jr. and C.P.L. Barkan. 2013. Considerations for Mechanistic Design of Concrete Sleepers and Elastic Fastening Systems in North America. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Heavy Haul Association Conference. New Delhi, India.
Van Dyk, B.J., M.S. Dersch, J.R. Edwards, C.J. Ruppert, Jr. and C.P.L. Barkan. 2013. Quantifying Shared Corridor Wheel Loading Variation Using Wheel Impact Load Detectors. In: Proceedings of the ASME Joint Rail Conference. Knoxville, TN.

2012

Kernes, R.G., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch, D.A. Lange and C.P.L. Barkan. 2012. Investigation of the Dynamic Frictional Properties of a Concrete Crosstie Rail Seat and Pad and Its Effect on Rail Seat Deterioration (RSD). In: Proceedings of the Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting. Washington, DC.
Rapp, C.T., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch, C.P.L. Barkan, B. Wilson and J. Mediavilla. 2012. Measuring Concrete Crosstie Rail Seat Pressure Distribution with Matrix Based Tactile Surface Sensors. In: Proceedings of the ASME Joint Rail Conference. Philadelphia, PA. doi:10.1115/JRC2012-74092.

2011

Dersch, M.S., M.J. Gutierrez Romero, J.R. Edwards, C.P.L. Barkan, B. Wilson and J. Mediavilla. 2011. Design and Performance of Elastic Fastening System Assemblies and Concrete Sleepers for Heavy-Haul Service. In: Proceedings of the 2011 International Heavy Haul Association Conference. Calgary, Canada.
Kernes, R.G., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch, D.A. Lange and C.P.L. Barkan. 2011. Investigation of Concrete Sleeper Rail Seat Pressure Distributions for Varying Fastening Systems and Loading Conditions. In: Proceedings of the 2011 International Heavy Haul Association Conference. Calgary, Canada.
Kernes, R.G., J.R. Edwards, M.S. Dersch, D.A. Lange and C.P.L. Barkan. 2011. Investigation of the Impact of Abrasion as a Concrete Crosstie Rail Seat Deterioration (RSD) Mechanism. In: Proceedings of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association Annual Conference. Minneapolis, MN.

Magazine Articles

2022

Dersch, M.S., C.D. Stuart, A. de O. Lima and J.R. Edwards. 2022. Made Elastic. Railway Track and Structures. RT&S Track Buyers Guide 2022: pp. 10-15.

2019

Dersch, M.S., T.A. Roadcap and J.R. Edwards. 2019. Spiked! Broken Spikes Continue to Cause Problems on the Rails, and the Focus is on the Fastening Systems. Railway Track and Structures. 115 (7): July 2019, pp. 20-24.
Edwards, J.R., M.S. Dersch and A. de O. Lima. 2019. Concrete Crossties: A New Paradigm for Design. Railway Track and Structures. February 25, 2019.

2012

Edwards, J.R., R.G. Kernes, M.S. Dersch and C.J. Ruppert, Jr. 2012. University of Illinois Concrete Crosstie Group Fastens up Research Challenges. Railway Track & Structures. October 2012, p. 32.

Monographs and Reports

2020

Dersch, M.S., J.R. Edwards and C.D. Stuart. 2020. Timber Crosstie Spike Fastener Failure Investigation: Field Evaluation of an Alternative Fastener. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC.
Edwards, J.R., M.S. Dersch and A. de O. Lima. 2020. Resilient Concrete Crosstie and Fastening System Designs for Light, Heavy, and Commuter Rail Transit. Federal Transit Administration, Washington, DC, pp. 124, Report No. 0158.

2017

Edwards, J.R., M.S. Dersch and R.G. Kernes. 2017. Improved Concrete Crosstie and Fastening Systems for US High Speed Passenger Rail and Joint Corridors: Volume 1 – Project Summary Report. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC.
Edwards, J.R., M.S. Dersch and R.G. Kernes. 2017. Improved Concrete Crosstie and Fastening Systems for US High Speed Passenger Rail and Joint Corridors: Volume 2. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC.

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