Measurement and modelling of ACFM response to multiple RCF cracks in rail and wheels

Abstract

This paper presents the experimental and model results of the response of an alternating current field measurement (ACFM) sensor to clusters of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) cracks typical of those found in rails and rail wheels. Both artificial and real cracks occurring in rails taken from service are considered. Currently, commercially available ACFM software is capable of producing an estimate of crack pocket length for isolated cracks, assuming they are regularly shaped. The results presented are part of continuing work to link the ACFM signal to the whole range of complex shaped RCF cracks that appear in rail and rail wheels, including those appearing in clusters. The challenges in accurately sizing clustered RCF cracks using the ACFM technique are discussed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Lugg

‘The first 20 years of the AC field measurement technique’, Proc. 17th World Conf. on ‘Nondestructive testing’, Shanghai, China, 2008, China Chinese Society for Non-destructive Testing, 851–858.

Topp

Smith

‘Application of the ACFM inspection method to rail and rail vehicles’,

Insight, 2005, 47, (6), 354–357.

Papaelias

M. P.

Davis

Roberts

Blakeley

Lugg

‘Interail: development of a novel integrated inspection system for the accurate evaluation of the structural integrity of rail tracks – implementation of the ACFM rail inspection module’, Proc. 10th Eur. Conf. on ‘Non destructive testing’, Moscow, Russia, June 2010, European Federation for Non Destructive Testing, 2271–2283.

Saferail, EU collaborative project.

Rowshandel

Nicholson

G. L.

Davis

C. L.

Roberts

‘A robotic approach for NDT of RCF cracks in rails using an ACFM sensor’,

Insight, 2011, 53, (7), 368–371.

Nicholson

G. L.

Davis

C. L.

‘Modelling of the response of an ACFM sensor to rail and rail wheel RCF cracks’,

NDT E Int., 2012, 46, 107–114.

Comsol multiphysics. Available at www.comsol.com .

Nicholson

G. L.

Kostryzhev

A. G.

Hao

X. J.

Davis

C. L.

‘Modelling and experimental measurements of idealised and light-moderate RCF cracks in rails using an ACFM sensor’,

NDT E Int., 2011, 44, (5), 427–437.

Railtrack, permanent way special instruction no. 4, Issue 2 (2002-01-14).

10.

Garnham

J. E.

Franklin

F. J.

Fletcher

D. I.

Davis

C. L.

‘Visualisation and modelling to understand rail and rolling contact fatigue shape in three dimensions’,

IMechE F: Rail Rapid Transit., 2011, 225, (2), 165–178.

11.

Girsch

Frank

Pointner

‘New rail grades – a technical performance overview’, Proc. 8th Int. Heavy Haul Conf., Rio de Janiero, Brazil, June 2005, International Heavy Haul Association, 731–738.