Developing Acoustic Technology to Detect Transverse Defects in Rail at High Speed (220 mph)

Inspection of rail for defects has historically been performed using ultrasonic technology. While the ultrasonic method has proven to be reliable, limitations exist in regard to the speed of the inspection. The proposed study aims to increase the speed of rail inspection while maintaining a high level of reliability through the use of acoustic emission. An acoustic emission sensor will be developed capable of detecting rail defects at high speeds. Acoustic detection has been widely applied to detect changes in medium generating distinct sounds. For example, the technology has been successfully utilized to detect automobile crashes at intersections, cable wire breaks in bridges, and defects in wheel-set bearings. The acoustic flaw detection system will also be paired with an on-board GPS to provide defect location information. To evaluate the sensor performance field testing will be conducted in three phases. Initial testing will be performed at low speeds with limited defect types to demonstrate the feasibility of the system. The second phase of testing will be completed at medium speeds with a wider range of defect types. Finally, the third phase of field testing will be conducted in China at speeds up to 180 mph. Throughout the field testing program the flaw detection system will be continually improved based on the research findings. The expected outcome of the research will be a high speed flaw detection system using acoustic technology. Ultimately, the goal of the research is improve rail inspection speed and reliability thereby enhancing rail safety.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $129,169
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747132

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Transportation Research Center

  University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  4505 Maryland Parkway, MS 4007
  Las Vegas, NV  United States  89154
• Project Managers:

  Teng, Hualiang

• Performing Organizations:

  Transportation Research Center

  University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  4505 Maryland Parkway, MS 4007
  Las Vegas, NV  United States  89154
• Principal Investigators:

  Sherman, Ryan

  jiang, yingtao

  Tian, Ying

• Start Date: 20170701
• Expected Completion Date: 20230630
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic detectors; Defects; High speed rail; Rail (Railroads); Sensors
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01641399
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University Transportation Center on Improving Rail Transportation Infrastructure Sustainability and Durability
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747132
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 23 2017 8:03PM