High Speed Rail IDEA Project 54 [Completed (IDEA)]
Wireless Remote Structural Integrity Monitoring System for Railroad Bridges
Project Data
Funds:
$99,000
Staff Responsibility:
Chuck Taylor
Completion Date:
2/8/2008
Fiscal Year:
2006
This was a contract to develop and test a remote system using acoustic wave technology for fatigue crack detection and growth monitoring in steel bridge beams. A network of MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) acoustic emission transducers were installed on selected railroad bridge beams. The sensors monitored fracture-critical areas for acoustic signals emitted by active flaws such as fatigue cracks. These acoustic emission signals were analyzed using pattern recognition methods to discriminate between emissions from cracks and those from train–induced noise, and to assess crack severity. Strain measurement wasl also incorporated into the prototype. This provides the capability to monitor the stress for correlation of acoustic emission activity to loading condition, as well as recording axle loadings and traffic over the beams. This information could also be used for remaining life evaluations.
