In-Production Nondestructive Testing of Internal Stresses in Rails Using Acoustoelasticity Method

Abstract

Results of an experimental study of internal stresses in selectively heat-strengthened rails by an acoustoelastic method using the electromagnetic-acoustic method of input-reception of shear waves are presented. Results of modeling the stressed-strained state of a rail with critical stresses present in its bottom and data of an experimental tensometric study of residual stresses in the rail bottom are considered. An analysis of the results has confirmed a spread in stresses across different sections within a single rail, and also revealed an excess over the critical level of stresses in the surface layer of the rail bottom under compressive stresses in its head and web. A rejection criterion for acoustoelastic testing is proposed that conforms with the requirements of GOST (State Standard) 51685 in the case of both web cutting and rail bottom tensometry.