METHOD FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND STRUCTURAL MONITORING OF CONCRETE RAILROAD TIES IN TRACK

摘要

A non-destructive testing method to evaluate the structural integrity of pre-stressed concrete railroad ties in track to identify deterioration and the eventual loss of bond between the reinforcing wires and the surrounding concrete. The application of an impact echo system to the end of each railroad tie will identify ties that have deteriorated to the extent that structural cracks have formed. The method includes employing a tool having a plurality of transducers and a single impinger to impart sound waves through a top surface of the railroad tie and to receive and evaluate the echoes of the sound waves to determine if the tie is structurally sound or structurally unsound.