Transverse and longitudinal crack detection in the head of rail tracks using Rayleigh wave-like wideband guided ultrasonic waves

Stuart B. Palmer; Steve Dixon; Rachel S. Edwards; Xiaoming Jian

doi:10.1117/12.598142

19 May 2005 Transverse and longitudinal crack detection in the head of rail tracks using Rayleigh wave-like wideband guided ultrasonic waves

Stuart B. Palmer, Steve Dixon, Rachel S. Edwards, Xiaoming Jian

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5767, Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring of Aerospace Materials, Composites, and Civil Infrastructure IV; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.598142
Event: Nondestructive Evaluation for Health Monitoring and Diagnostics, 2005, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

We have developed a 'pitch-catch' low frequency-wideband Rayleigh wave EMAT system with a centre frequency of approximately 200kHz, extending to around 500kHz and study here its applicability to crack detection in the head of rail tracks. On the head of a rail, the generated waves are strictly speaking a type of guided wave mode as the propagation surface is not a flat halfspace. They propagate along the surface of the rail penetrating down to a depth of several millimetres. We have used this approach to demonstrate detection of gauge corner and longitudinal cracking in the rail head. On samples containing machined slots we have shown that crack depth can be estimated by measuring the proportion of the ultrasonic wave at a particular frequency that passes underneath the crack. The approach that we have used is fundamentally different to and has several advantages over conventional ultrasonic contact methods and should ultimately facilitate testing the rail head more thoroughly at higher speeds.

Citation Download Citation

Stuart B. Palmer, Steve Dixon, Rachel S. Edwards, and Xiaoming Jian "Transverse and longitudinal crack detection in the head of rail tracks using Rayleigh wave-like wideband guided ultrasonic waves", Proc. SPIE 5767, Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring of Aerospace Materials, Composites, and Civil Infrastructure IV, (19 May 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.598142

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available