RECENT EVOLUTION IN ON THE RAIL INSPECTION ON THE S.N.C.F.

Ultrasonic probing enables an operator, shifting a transductor over the surface of the railhead, to assess the extent of a crack. Rail inspection by ultrasonic apparatus employs two methods: vertical probing by a straight line transductor where the steel is subjected to a longitudinal beam of waves; and oblique probing by a transductor subjecting the steel to a refracted beam of transversal waves forming an angle of 65 degrees to 70 degrees with the vertical. The transversal fatigue cracks due to rail-head fatigue often causing railbreaks are detected by oblique probing. The present permissible speed at which the transductors are made to move along the rail is 12 km/h. The annual number of rail-breaks on the inspected lines which was about 1,100 has fallen to under 400, the majority of breaks being due to defects non-spottable by probing.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federation des Industries Ferroviaires

  12 rue Bixio
  75007 Paris,   France 
• Publication Date: 1969

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 12-13
• Serial:
  • French Rail News
  • Publisher: Federation des Industries Ferroviaires

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking; Defects; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fatigue (Physiological condition); Inspection; Inspection cars; Maintenance of way; Nondestructive tests; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks; Technology; Ultrasonic tests
• Geographic Terms: France
• Old TRIS Terms: Fissures (Rails); Rail inspection; Track maintenance equipment
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040011
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 22 1976 12:00AM