Noncontact Ultrasonic Guided Wave Detection of Rail Defects

摘要: Recent train accidents, increasing tonnage, and aging rail transportation infrastructure have reaffirmed the need to improve current inspection technologies, consisting primarily of ultrasonic wheel testing. A recent development in is use guided waves 20 kHz 1 MHz range noncontact probing techniques. This paper first reports on theoretical studies wave propagation rails based a semianalytical finite element approach. The then describes latest version University California, San Diego, FRA defect detection prototype, which testing real-time statistical pattern recognition for classification. system specifically targets transverse head cracks such as fissures detail fractures. It also expected be sensitive longitudinal vertical split heads mixed-mode compound was field tested March 2008 at speeds up 10 mph with excellent results under changing environmental conditions. Plans are place further improvements, including higher test 40 installation an research car technology demonstration.