Railway track inspection using GPR

Hugenschmidt, Johannes

doi:10.1016/s0926-9851(99)00054-3

Cited by 77 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…In each plot of Figure 1 By comparing the GPR signals recorded over the three locations, it is apparent that the switch has a strong influence on the overall response; on the other hand, it is noticed that different ballast conditions cause quite subtle differences in the signals, both in the time and frequency domains, as already observed in several studies in literature [2,15,25,29,30,36,61].…”

Section: Gpr Equipmentsupporting

confidence: 59%

“…For maintenance purposes, many GPR studies were focused on the thicknesses measurement of the ballast and sub-ballast layers, as well as the material characterization [5,[27][28][29][30]. There are also some GPR studies with a particular research interest to assess ballast fouling and moisture content [31].…”

Section: Overview On the Use Of Gpr For Railway Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Railway Track Condition Assessment at Network Level by Frequency Domain Analysis of GPR Data

et al. 2018

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Abstract:The railway track system is a crucial infrastructure for the transportation of people and goods in modern societies. With the increase in railway traffic, the availability of the track for monitoring and maintenance purposes is becoming significantly reduced. Therefore, continuous non-destructive monitoring tools for track diagnoses take on even greater importance. In this context, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technique results yield valuable information on track condition, mainly in the identification of the degradation of its physical and mechanical characteristics caused by subsurface malfunctions. Nevertheless, the application of GPR to assess the ballast condition is a challenging task because the material electromagnetic properties are sensitive to both the ballast grading and water content. This work presents a novel approach, fast and practical for surveying and analysing long sections of transport infrastructure, based mainly on expedite frequency domain analysis of the GPR signal. Examples are presented with the identification of track events, ballast interventions and potential locations of malfunctions. The approach, developed to identify changes in the track infrastructure, allows for a user-friendly visualisation of the track condition, even for GPR non-professionals such as railways engineers, and may further be used to correlate with track geometric parameters. It aims to automatically detect sudden variations in the GPR signals, obtained with successive surveys over long stretches of railway lines, thus providing valuable information in asset management activities of infrastructure managers.

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Section: Gpr Equipmentsupporting

confidence: 59%

Section: Overview On the Use Of Gpr For Railway Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Railway Track Condition Assessment at Network Level by Frequency Domain Analysis of GPR Data

et al. 2018

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“…GPR data consists of changes in reflection amplitude, changes in the arrival time of specific reflections, and signal attenuation [32,38]. The method provides a continuous profile of the thickness and properties of railway structures, which can be used to analyse the quality of track substructures, such as the moisture susceptibility of ballast and subballast, fouling of ballast, layer deformation, and mud pumping [39][40][41].…”

Section: Introduction Of Gprmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the Dynamic Wheel Loads in Railway Transition Zones Considering the Moisture Condition of the Ballast and Subballast

Wang

Silvast²,

Markine

et al. 2017

Applied Sciences

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Transition zones in railway tracks are the locations with considerable changes in vertical support structures, e.g., near bridges. Due to possible water flow constrictions in transition zone structures, there is frequently an increased moisture level in the ballast/subballast layers, which is a potential source of track degradation. This paper presents results of the moisture condition measured in three transition zones using ground penetrating radar, where the ballast/subballast are analyzed. The relationship between the moisture condition and track degradation in the transition zones is studied by comparing it to the longitudinal track level that is measured by the track inspection coaches. A strong connection is found between the high moisture condition and track degradation in the transition zones. The dynamic behavior of the transition zones with high moisture condition is analyzed using the Finite Element method. Differential stiffness and settlement are taken into consideration in the transition zone model, which is also coupled with a vehicle. The ballast/subballast layers are modelled as solid elements. Increased moisture conditions are considered as a reduction of elastic modulus, according to laboratory findings. Results show that high moisture leads to an increase of dynamic wheel loads in the transition zone, which explains the connection and confirms that the high moisture condition is a source of transition zone problems.

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“…In some countries, GPR tests have been performed along tracks with the aim of detecting zones with problems in both ballast and subsoil layers. First results have shown that GPR is a reliable technique to assess track geometry problems and consequently to improve maintenance planning [11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GPR Laboratory Tests For Railways Materials Dielectric Properties Assessment

2014

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Abstract:In railways Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) studies, the evaluation of materials dielectric properties is critical as they are sensitive to water content, to petrographic type of aggregates and to fouling condition of the ballast. Under the load traffic, maintenance actions and climatic effects, ballast condition change due to aggregate breakdown and to subgrade soils pumping, mainly on existing lines with no sub ballast layer. The main purpose of this study was to validate, under controlled conditions, the dielectric values of materials used in Portuguese railways, in order to improve the GPR interpretation using commercial software and consequently the management maintenance planning. Different materials were tested and a broad range of in situ conditions were simulated in laboratory, in physical models. GPR tests were performed with five antennas with frequencies between 400 and 1800 MHz. The variation of the dielectric properties was measured, and the range of values that can be obtained for different material condition was defined. Additionally, in situ GPR measurements and test pits were performed for validation of the dielectric constant of clean ballast. The results obtained are analyzed and the main conclusions are presented herein.

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Railway track inspection using GPR

Cited by 77 publications

References 2 publications

Railway Track Condition Assessment at Network Level by Frequency Domain Analysis of GPR Data

Railway Track Condition Assessment at Network Level by Frequency Domain Analysis of GPR Data

Analysis of the Dynamic Wheel Loads in Railway Transition Zones Considering the Moisture Condition of the Ballast and Subballast

GPR Laboratory Tests For Railways Materials Dielectric Properties Assessment

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