The structural integrity of wheelsets used in rolling stock is of great importance to the rail industry and its customers. In the last 15 years, 33 deaths and 48 injuries have occurred in Europe alone due to train axle failures. Visual inspection, magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and conventional ultrasonic testing (UT) are the current standard inspection practices used for manual nondestructive testing (NDT) of axles. However, some of these inspection processes require removal of the wheelset from the wagon/locomotive bogie, and the partial or full disassembly of the wheelset in order to facilitate access. Phased array ultrasonic techniques can provide the required flexibility and inspection depth to make the inspection of train axles from the end face feasible without requiring full disassembly of axle and bogie. This paper presents the simulation work carried out using the CIVA ultrasonic simulation software in order to design a suitable phased array (PA) transducer capable of inspecting a variety of axle geometries. The axles have different end face diameters (110 mm - 160 mm) and different numbers of boltholes. The PA transducer should be capable of steering and skewing the beam at the required inspection angles and provide the required focal depth. It should also account for the existence of boltholes on the axle's end face. The simulation work was validated by comparing the simulation results with experimental results.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Ultrasonic modelling to design a phased array probe for the testing of railway solid axles from the end face


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2013


    Size :

    12 Seiten, 14 Bilder, 10 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Storage medium


    Language :

    English