| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S00132/01 |
| Title: |
Detection and sizing of transverse cracks in rails |
| Principal Investigator: |
Cawley, Professor P |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Mechanical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Imperial College London |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 February 2003 |
Ends: |
30 April 2006 |
Value (£): |
237,690
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Eng. Dynamics & Tribology |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Transport Systems and Vehicles |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The project will investigate the feasibility of using ultrasonic waves propagating parallel to the rail to detect and size transverse defects in the rail. This is the type of defect that most commonly causes failure, and it Is difficult to detect reliably using current inspection systems. A key problem with the systems used at present is that deep cracks can be masked by a succession of shallower cracks along the rail; the technique proposed here potentially overcomes this problem by scanning along the rail so that the defect Is 'seen' from a succession of transducer positions. It is then less serious if the smaller cracks block transmission into the rail at some transducer locations. The project will investigate the propagation of different possible wave modes along the rail head as a function of frequency and will study their Interaction with different sizes, locations and orientations of defect. This work will identify the best candidate mode and frequency for a practical system. A laboratory system will be manufactured and tested on rail with both artificial and real defects, and the development needs for a field usable system will be identified.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.imperial.ac.uk |