Feasibility of detecting cracks in rail track at long range using guided wave ultrasound

Abstract

A transducer array comprising four transducers was developed and used to perform pulse – echo measurements on a heavy duty welded rail track. A signal processing algorithm, which uses properties of the propagating modes computed using semi-analytical finite element modelling, was developed. The algorithm was used to process the measurement results and a particular mode of propagation proved to be effective. Defects could be detected at long range in relatively new rail while detecting defects in old rail with frequent welded repairs is very difficult. It is expected that transverse cracks in the rail head will be detectable at a range of 500m prior to complete breakage in relatively good condition rail.