End-colloquium Timo Frielink

Costs Optimisation of Steel Roller Coaster Tracks

Steel roller coasters are known as iconic and complex structures in theme parks. Different structural designs exist for roller coasters, depending on the manufacturer or type of roller coaster. The two most common track designs for these thrill rides are the traditional backbone design, and the triangle track. This graduation thesis focuses on the structural design of the triangle track, which is a three-dimensional truss. Within the structural design of a triangle track, many variations are possible such as difference in the truss typology (Pratt- vs Warren truss) or geometry properties (sections). However, it is not known which structural design of the triangle track is optimised best, regarding production costs and if this design can be further optimised. The main goal of this graduation thesis is to find the optimal structural design for a triangle track regarding production costs.
To achieve this goal, an optimisation study will be performed for the triangle track using a Genetic Algorithm. During this final colloquium, I will explain the used Genetic Algorithm. Lastly, I will share the results of the optimisation study.

Hope to see you on the 14th of November!