In-Motion Railroad Tie Deflection Measurement via Ultrasonic Airborne Sonar and Computer Vision Techniques

Hosseinzadeh, Ali Zare; Datta, Diptojit; Scalea, Francesco Lanza di

doi:10.1080/09349847.2022.2136808

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…This algorithm is based on local optimization, where an objective function is defined using squared distance criterion and a linear term is adapted to estimate point displacements. This technique has been successfully used for feature tracking purposes [9]. Selecting the trackable features has an important role in the performance of this technique.…”

Section: The Proposed Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the computer vision-based approach for output-only wave-based structural identification and health monitoring

Hosseinzadeh

Scalea

2023

Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems XVII

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A non-contact (vision-based) output-only technique is explored for monitoring and health assessment of civil structures such as multistory buildings and bridges. A consumer-grade camera is used to record the vibrations under natural ambient excitation. Then, the Kanade-Lucas-Tomasi (KLT) algorithm is utilized to track the displacements of desired target points (i.e., the points representing the location of virtual receivers located along the height of the building) and extract the pixeldomain time histories. In the next step, the extracted time history responses are deconvolved between pairs of target points to extract the Impulse Response Functions (IRFs) of each pair. This process, often known as seismic interferometry, extracts the causal and acausal wave propagation behavior between two points of the structure. Depending on the frequency content, this behavior is of interest to reveal structural damage along wave propagation paths. The technique is conceptualized by a numerical example administrated in ABAQUS. It is followed by a preliminary test conducted on a small-scale multistory frame structure subjected to a random shaker excitation, which is monitored by a cellphone's camera. The main current challenge of this technique is the low frequency of the image recording from the camera. The next phase of this work will utilize a high-speed camera to extract IRFs at frequencies high enough for localized damage detection.

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Section: The Proposed Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the computer vision-based approach for output-only wave-based structural identification and health monitoring

Hosseinzadeh

Scalea

2023

Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems XVII

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“…Images can also be used to develop a machine learning-based technique, aimed at classifying the probed objects. Such a technique can supplement the acoustic signal-based tie/ballast discrimination [ 44 , 45 ]. The classification is based on a texture analysis of the objects observed in the ROIs.…”

Section: Image-based Techniques For Spatial Position Tracking and Obj...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Railroad Sleeper Condition Monitoring Using Non-Contact in Motion Ultrasonic Ranging and Machine Learning-Based Image Processing

Datta

Hosseinzadeh

Cui

et al. 2023

Sensors

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An ultrasonic sonar-based ranging technique is introduced for measuring full-field railroad crosstie (sleeper) deflections. Tie deflection measurements have numerous applications, such as detecting degrading ballast support conditions and evaluating sleeper or track stiffness. The proposed technique utilizes an array of air-coupled ultrasonic transducers oriented parallel to the tie, capable of “in-motion” contactless inspections. The transducers are used in pulse-echo mode, and the distance between the transducer and the tie surface is computed by tracking the time-of-flight of the reflected waveforms from the tie surface. An adaptive, reference-based cross-correlation operation is used to compute the relative tie deflections. Multiple measurements along the width of the tie allow the measurement of twisting deformations and longitudinal deflections (3D deflections). Computer vision-based image classification techniques are also utilized for demarcating tie boundaries and tracking the spatial location of measurements along the direction of train movement. Results from field tests, conducted at walking speed at a BNSF train yard in San Diego, CA, with a loaded train car are presented. The tie deflection accuracy and repeatability analyses indicate the potential of the technique to extract full-field tie deflections in a non-contact manner. Further developments are needed to enable measurements at higher speeds.

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Ballast Settlement Accumulation in Zones with Unsupported Sleepers

Nabochenko,

Sysyn,

Fischer

2024

Transp. Infrastruct. Geotech.

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The high influence of impact and vibration on the behavior of crushed stone and ballast materials has been known for a long time. The zones with unsupported sleepers, which are always present in transition zones, crossings, welds, etc., are typically characterized by impact interaction, ballast full unloading, and additional preloading. However, no studies on ballast layer settlements consider impact vibration loading. Moreover, the influence of the cyclic loading on the ballast settlement intensity is considered ambiguously, with both decelerating and accelerating trends. The comprehensive literature review presents the influence of factors on settlement intensity. The present study aims to estimate the long-term processes of sleeper settlement accumulation depending on the loading factors: impact, cyclic loading, and preloading. The typical for a void zone ballast loading pattern was determined for various void sizes and the position along the track by using a model of vehicle-track interaction that was validated by experimental measurements. The loading patterns were parametrized with four parameters: maxima of the cyclic loading, impact loading, sleeper acceleration, and minimal preloading. A specially prepared DEM simulation model was used to estimate the ballast settlement intensity after initial settlement stabilization for more than 100 loading patterns of the void zone cases. The settlement simulation results clearly show that even a low-impact loading pattern causes many times increased settlement intensity than ordinary cyclic loading. Moreover, the initial preloading in the neighbor-to-void zones can cause even a decrease in the settlement intensity compared to the full ordinary or partial unloading. A statistical analysis using a machine learning approach and an analytic one was used to create the model for the intensity prediction regarding the loading patterns. The analytic approach demonstrates somewhat lower prediction quality, but it allows to receive plausible and simple analytic equations of the settlement intensity. The results show that the maximal cyclic loading has a nonlinear influence on the settlement intensity that corresponds to the 3–4 power function, and the impact loading is expressed by the linear to parabolic function. The ballast’s minimal preloading contributes to the reduction of the settlement intensity, especially for high cyclic loadings that are typical for neighbor-to-void zones. The results of the present study could be used for the complementing of the present phenomenological equations with the new factors and further application in the algorithms of the settlements accumulation prediction.

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In-Motion Railroad Tie Deflection Measurement via Ultrasonic Airborne Sonar and Computer Vision Techniques

Cited by 3 publications

References 14 publications

On the computer vision-based approach for output-only wave-based structural identification and health monitoring

On the computer vision-based approach for output-only wave-based structural identification and health monitoring

Railroad Sleeper Condition Monitoring Using Non-Contact in Motion Ultrasonic Ranging and Machine Learning-Based Image Processing

Ballast Settlement Accumulation in Zones with Unsupported Sleepers

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