NTL Record

Title Feasibility of Flaw Detection in Railroad Wheels Using Acoustic Signatures
Record ID 48827
Personal Name
Creator
Nagy K.; Finch, R. D.
Source 206p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.); University of Houston
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
Publication Date 19761001
Language English
Abstract The feasibility study on the use of acoustic signatures for detection of flaws in railway wheels was conducted with the ultimate objective of development of an intrack device for moving cars. Determinations of the natural modes of vibrating wheels under various conditions are reported. Differences in acoustic signatures are found between good and cracked wheels, including spectral changes and variations in the time decay of sound. Various sounds occurring in normal railroad practice, such as rolling noise on welded rail and over joints and retarder screech were investigated. It was concluded that special purpose impacters will have to be used for a servicable device. Pattern recognition techniques were used for selecting good and bad wheels with a computerized processing scheme. A laboratory demonstration system has been constructed and found to be 85% reliable when system malfunctions are discounted.
Rosap ID dot:10318
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/10318
TRT Terms Nondestructive tests; Ultrasonic tests; Sonic tests; Acoustic signature; Computer printouts; Pattern recognition systems; Railroad cars; Wheels; Cracking; Defects; Ultrasonic detectors; Flaw detection; Inspection
Classification AGR - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - RAIL TRANSPORTATION;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Rail Safety;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Vehicle Design
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Contract Number DOT-FR-30002
Report Number DOT-TSC-FRA-76-6; FRA/ORD-76/290
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/48000/48800/48827/DOT-TSC-FRA-76-06.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository