Rail Diagnostics Based on Ultrasonic Guided Waves: An Overview

Rail tracks undergo massive stresses that can affect their structural integrity and produce rail breakage. The last phenomenon represents a serious concern for railway management authorities, since it may cause derailments and, consequently, losses of rolling stock material lives. Therefore, the activities track maintenance inspection are paramount importance. In recent years, use various technologies monitoring rails detection defects has been investigated; however, despite important progresses in this field, substantial research efforts still required to achieve higher scanning speeds improve reliability diagnostic procedures. It is expected that, near future, an role will be played by ultrasonic guided wave technology. manuscript, its investigated detail; moreover, both main strategies technical literature taken into consideration. first strategy consists installation instrumentation on board moving test vehicle scans below while running. second strategy, instead, based distributing throughout entire network, so continuous quasi-real-time obtained. our analysis proposed solutions, prototypes employed methods described.