Sensitivity to Axial Stress and Temperature of Local Resonances in Rails

Yuning Wu, Keping Zhang, Xuan Zhu, John Popovics

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Measuring rail thermal stresses or rail neutral temperature (RNT) in continuous welded rails (CWRs) is a challenging task for the railroad industry, especially in a nondestructive and nondisruptive manner. This paper examines the potential of local resonances for thermal stress measurement in rails. Local resonances associated with zero-group velocity (ZGV) and cutoff frequency points usually demonstrate sharp resonances in amplitude spectra, which can be utilized for Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), and we previously reported their existence in rails. In this study, we promote local resonances by bonded piezoelectric elements on a short rail sample. Two tests were performed: (i) the sample is subjected to stepwise increasing uniaxial compressive loads in a constant temperature environment, and (ii) the same sample is free to expand and subjected to rising temperatures in an oven. By measuring local resonant frequencies, we quantified the sensitivity of the resonant frequencies to axial stress and temperature. The results show that appreciable sensitivities of the local resonances are found under varying stress and temperature levels and can be utilized for in-situ rail thermal stress determination.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationStructural Health Monitoring 2023
Subtitle of host publicationDesigning SHM for Sustainability, Maintainability, and Reliability - Proceedings of the 14th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring
EditorsSaman Farhangdoust, Alfredo Guemes, Fu-Kuo Chang
PublisherDEStech Publications
Pages1860-1864
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781605956930
StatePublished - 2023
Event14th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring: Designing SHM for Sustainability, Maintainability, and Reliability, IWSHM 2023 - Stanford, United States
Duration: Sep 12 2023Sep 14 2023

Publication series

NameStructural Health Monitoring 2023: Designing SHM for Sustainability, Maintainability, and Reliability - Proceedings of the 14th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring

Conference

Conference14th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring: Designing SHM for Sustainability, Maintainability, and Reliability, IWSHM 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityStanford
Period9/12/239/14/23

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • Building and Construction

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