# Design of Magnetic Concrete for Inductive Power Transfer System in Rail Applications
## 5 Conclusions  
To encourage rail transportation electrification using battery locomotives, the IPT system that enables wireless power transfer is a transformative technology that can enhance rail safety and efficiency. The incorporation of magnetic concrete into IPT systems provides a promising replacement for ferrite bars in coil supports. This paper provides a comprehensive study of the design of magnetic concrete considering the magnetic permeability, coupling efficiency, and thermal field effects. This paper also investigates the shielding potential of magnetic concrete-based IPT systems. The results of this study are expected to improve wireless power transfer technologies and establish magnetic concrete as a solution for energy transmission in railway applications. Through experimental testing and numerical modeling, an optimal magnetic concrete mix comprising 33% ferrite powder by weight and a water-to-cement ratio of 0.57 was developed. This formulation achieved a critical balance between workability, cost-effectiveness, structural integrity, and magnetic performance. Compressive strength tests demonstrated structural compatibility with traditional concrete, confirming its suitability for railway infrastructure. Comparative analyses of transmitter coupler designs using Ansys Maxwell simulations and experimental validations revealed that magnetic concrete closely matches the coupling efficiency of traditional W-I ferrite cores. Although magnetic concrete exhibits a marginal decrease in the coupling coefficient and power transfer efficiency, its substantial advantages, such as enhanced mechanical durability and significant cost reductions, present a compelling case for its practical deployment in IPT systems. Predictive thermal analyses indicate superior thermal performance for magnetic concrete couplers, characterized by a more uniform temperature distribution and reduced hotspots. These findings were further validated by experimental thermal imaging, high  
Figure 17: Electromagnetic flux distributions in 2D view. lighting the material's effectiveness in managing thermal stresses and enhancing operational stability in high-power applications. Shielding analyses further support the efficacy of magnetic concrete, showcasing its ability to effectively guide magnetic flux and reduce electromagnetic interference, thereby safeguarding critical sensors and enhancing system safety. Compared to traditional ferrite cores, magnetic concrete not only provides comparable or improved shielding effectiveness but also overcomes limitations related to fragility and mechanical degradation. Overall, this study validates magnetic concrete as a viable, robust, cost-effective, and efficient alternative to conventional ferrite cores in IPT systems. The integration of magnetic concrete into railway applications promises significant advancements in performance, durability, safety, and economic viability, representing an important innovation in infrastructure technology for wireless power transfer. It is important to recognize that the current study started with the coil design, which predetermined the transfer frequency, and hence, the sensitivity of the magnetic properties of the magnetic concrete to frequency has not been investigated. Future studies will consider frequency change effects. Future studies will also include the optimization of the magnetic concrete mix design and the evaluation of the long-term performance (fatigue, durability, aging, etc.) of magnetic concrete-based IPT systems in field conditions. Conceptualization, S.-E.C., K.L., T.Z., N.L.B. and X.S. ; methodology, T.Z., S.-E.C., K.L. and X.S. ; validation, K.L. and S.-E.C. ; formal analysis, K.L., T.Z. and X.S. ; investigation, S.-E.C., N.L.B. and L.H. ; resources, T.Z., S.-E.C. and N.L.B. ; data curation, K.L. ; writing--original draft preparation, K.L., S.-E.C., T.Z., N.L.B. and L.H. ; visualization, K.L. and S.-E.C. ; supervision, T.Z., S.-E.C. and N.L.B. ; project administration, T.Z. ; funding acquisition, T.Z., N.L.B. and S.-E.C.