DANIEL Fedele and Mitchell Trounce are on the fast track to success in the engineering industry.
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The former Bendigo La Trobe University classmates have won recognition for a study into a phenomena that could lead to railway track failure and derailment.
Mr Fedele and Mr Trounce have been honoured by the Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA) for their thesis findings on the effects of sand contamination on ballast beds.
The industrious pair built a large-scale railway track in the university's engineering lab, replicating conditions found in deserts in India, China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“We found that fouling ballast with sand increased the stiffness of the railway track structure and reduced the track’s elastic response,” said Mr Fedele, who moved to Bendigo from Swan Hill in 2011.
“This increased the stress level on the sleepers and other railway track components. In turn, this led to a reduced life for track components, as well as increased maintenance demands and costs.
“In serious scenarios this may lead to failure of the railway track.”
The RTSA has hailed the finding as a major rail maintenace and safety breakthrough.
In recognition, it honoured the recent graduates as runners-up in the prestigious RTSA Railways Student Engineering Thesis Award.
La Trobe senior lecturer in civil engineering Daniela Ionescu said she had watched Daniel and Mitchell blossom during their four years of study and they were fully deserving of the honour.
"They have been competing with universities from around Australia and New Zealand, Dr Ionescu said.
"Some of these universities have got special courses in railway engineering and some have centres for railway engineering research.
"For them to compete and finish runner-up in the award is a very proud moment."
Both have pursued employment opportunities in Melbourne - Mr Fedele with design consultancy Beca and Mr Trounce with Calibre Consulting.
The pair say they are pleased their thesis would be used as the basis for further study in La Trobe engineering.
Horsham born-and-bred Mr Trounce praised the support of Dr Ionescu and urged others to consider engineering studies in Bendigo.
"The the course is a bit more practical here than elsewhere and that's what employers are looking for - practicality," he said.
"You also have a lot more opportunity to get some industry experience because it's regional.
"That puts you in good stead for job opportunities down the track."
