AXLE INSPECTION: THE USE OF MONTE-CARLO ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT TO OPTIMIZE AXLE INSPECTION INTERVAL

The depot-based ultrasonic inspection of axles is a time consuming process, which increases the risk of bearing failures because of the necessity of removing and refitting bearing end caps. If the axle examination process could safely be extended to wheelset overhaul periods, when the axle was stripped, operating costs would be reduced, vehicle availability would be increased and there would be no increased risk of bearing failure because of end cap removal and replacement. This paper utilises Fracture mechanics, Monte-Carlo simulation and risk assessment methods to define a methodology for setting the NDT inspection periodicity of axles. The objective is to show that there is a technical justification for extending axle inspection, in some cases to wheelset overhaul intervals, while retaining the balance of acceptable risk and maintenance cost. The method described shows that the introduction of Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) with its greater sensitivity has significant advantages over Ultrasonic Axle Testing (UAT) methods. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD E104477.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1860582427
• Corporate Authors:

  PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING PUBLICATIONS LTD

  NORTHGATE AVENUE
  BURY ST EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK  United Kingdom  IP32 6BW
• Authors:
  • ROSE, K(CHA)
  • BENYON, J A
  • WATSON, A S
• Publication Date: 1999

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 13-20
• Serial:
  • SEMINAR PUBLICATION 1999-12
  • Publisher: PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING PUBLICATIONS LTD
  • ISSN: 1357-9193

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axles; Conferences; Evaluation and assessment; Failure; Hazards; Magnetic properties; Mathematical analysis; Mechanics; Optimization; Railroad trains; Simulation; Strength of materials; Surveillance; Test procedures; Ultrasonics; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Optimum
• ITRD Terms: 6471: Analysis (math); 1322: Axle; 8525: Conference; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 5520: Failure; 6936: Magnetism; 5455: Mechanics; 9150: Risk; 9103: Simulation; 5544: Strength (mater); 9101: Surveillance; 6288: Test method; 1268: Train; 6739: Ultrasonic; 1372: Wheel
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00790305
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 1-86058-242-7
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Apr 11 2000 12:00AM