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The Application of Long Range Ultrasonic Testing (LRUT) To Inspect Railway Tracks
The Application of Long Range Ultrasonic Testing (LRUT) To Inspect Railway Tracks
Contents
MonitoRail Project overview
Rail industry need and market potential Limitation of current inspection methods. Project challenges
Long range ultrasonic testing (LRUT) The application of guided waves as an inspection technique.
Previous work Deformation shape of guided waves. Investigation of different excitation conditions. Experimental trials
Jackweld
Possible
Not Possible
Not Possible
Currently there is no method to detect foot defects other than those directly beneath the web of the rail. Detection of defects in the rail head and web will also be investigated in order to provide a cost effective solution.
Project objectives
To inspect critical areas where the probability for defects is high and there is limited access to carry out the conventional NDT techniques. To inspect long lengths of rail track from a limited number of access points. To achieve full volumetric coverage of the rail. To develop a cost efficient technique for condition monitoring. To extend the life of the rail through early repairs of rail tracks.
Project challenges
Accessibility
Environmental conditions:
Rain/snow Temperature -20 to 60 Celsius degrees.
Interface to rail engineering/ operation staff Existing features on the rail attenuates the signal
1GHz
Hyper sonic
Frequency
Much lower frequency than conventional ultrasonics Equivalent to Lamb waves Use a wave guide - a regular cross section Complex due to large number of wavemodes
Conventional Vs LRUT
Conventional Transducer Localised Inspection Weld Metal loss Teletest Tool 100% Inspection Weld Metal loss Guided Wave Flange Flange
Metal loss
Metal loss
Web
86.7mm
11.11mm
Foot 139.7mm
Copyright TWI Ltd 2011
Y Gharaibeh, et allInvestigation of the behaviour of selected ultrasonic guided wave modes to inspect rails for long-range testing and monitoring Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, pp. 225: 311 (2011) Copyright TWI Ltd 2011
Different possible wave modes for different sections in the railway track.
Sole existence in each section in the railway track. Similar vibration patterns. Displacement in the entire section suggests 100% coverage of the cross sectional surface of the railway track.
Y Gharaibeh, et allInvestigation of the behaviour of selected ultrasonic guided wave modes to inspect rails for long-range testing and monitoring Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, pp. 225: 311 (2011) Copyright TWI Ltd 2011
Excitation of F2 scenario 1
Excitation of F2 scenario 2
Excitation of F2 scenario 3
Experimental trials
TWI rail
feature free
Defect addition
0 0
300
500
1,000
2,000
2,500
3,000
(a)
Time Domain Signal 6 5 A m plitude (m v)
4 Dead Zone
defect 2mm
0 0
300
500
1,000
2,000
2,500
3,000
(b)
Time Domain Signal 6 5 Amplitude (mv)
defect 4mm
Dead Zone
0 0
300
500
1,000
2,000
2,500
3,000
Work plan
To determine the effect in the wave mode propagation caused by common rail features such as clips and welds. To identify responses due to the rail features and to monitor the signal over time in order to detect any significant change over time that might indicate the presence of a defect. This work is still in progress.
Conclusion
The characteristics of ultrasonic guided waves in the rail complex geometrical profile have been identified A suitable wave mode with full volumetric coverage in has been identified for each section of the rail.
F2 has been selected as the wave mode most suitable to inspect the foot
An improved excitation/reception conditions has been proposed. Defect detection sensitivity test have been conducted Experimental validations of the models are in progress
Future work
Improving of the quality of the propagated wave by using: Minimise coherent noise. Apply phase delay. Apply signal weighting technique. Enhanced signal to noise ratio. Further experimental validations using Railway track with feature free specimen Railway track with clamps mounted on the specimen. Further signal processing analysis is needed. Investigate exisiting wave modes in the rail head with respect to the problem definition.
Copyright TWI Ltd 2011
MONITORAIL acknowledgement
MONITORAIL is collaboration between the following organisations: TWI Ltd, Vermon SA, OpenPattern, Aerosoft S.p.A, Jackweld Ltd, Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd, Cereteth and Brunel University. The Project is co-ordinated and managed by TWI Ltd. and is partly funded by the EC under the Collaborative project programme- Research for SMEs & Research for SME Associations. Grant Agreement Number. 26219.
Jackweld