An Entropy-Based Analysis of GPR Data for the Assessment of Railway Ballast Conditions

Benedetto, Francesco; Tosti, Fabio; Alani, Amir M.

doi:10.1109/tgrs.2017.2683507

Cited by 28 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Interpretation of the results has shown viability of the GPR method in detecting signs of decay at the network level, thereby proving this technique to be worthy for implementation in asset management systems. Such a conclusion confirms previous research findings on this subject [12][13][14][15]20]. However, the present research has pointed out key information in regard to the practical use of an air-coupled GPR system for assessing fragmentation and fouling in railway track-beds.…”

Section: Conclusion and Practical Implicationssupporting

confidence: 92%

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Railway Ballast Monitoring by GPR: A Test-Site Investigation

Ciampoli¹,

Calvi²,

D’Amico³

2019

Remote Sensing

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Effective maintenance of railways requires a comprehensive assessment of the actual condition of the construction materials involved. In this regard, Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) stands as a viable alternative to the invasive and time-consuming traditional techniques for the inspection of these infrastructures. This work reports the experimental activities carried out on a test-site area within a railway depot in Rome, Italy. To this purpose, a 30 m-long railway section was divided into 10 sub-sections reproducing different various physical and structural conditions of the track-bed. In more detail, combinations of varying scenarios of fragmentation and fouling of the ballast were reproduced. The set-up was then investigated using different multi-frequency GPR horn antenna systems. The effects of the different physical conditions of ballast on the electromagnetic response of the material were analysed for each scenario using time- and frequency-domain signal processing techniques. Parallel to this, modelling was provided to estimate fouling content. Interpretation of results has proven the viability of the GPR method in detecting signs of decay at the network level, thereby proving this technique to be worthy of implementation in asset management systems.

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Section: Conclusion and Practical Implicationssupporting

confidence: 92%

“…In these experimental activities, surveys were conducted using GPR systems with central frequencies below 500 MHz. More recently, high-frequency (1000-2000 MHz) air-launched systems have been mostly adopted [12][13][14][15][16][17][18], due to the advantages observed in terms of results viability and survey productivity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Railway Ballast Monitoring by GPR: A Test-Site Investigation

Ciampoli¹,

Calvi²,

D’Amico³

2019

Remote Sensing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For fouling evaluation, particular studies were based on the development of new GPR signals processing and interpretation. For a better detection of fouled ballast, more complete interpretations were achieved based on scattering and entropy analysis [39][40][41], spectral analysis [2,42], as well as wavelet and Fourier Transform analysis [17,43]. With respect to the assessment of the subgrade condition and track defects, the GPR method can be used to detect anomalies in the ballast and sub-ballast layers such as voids, water pockets, or subgrade settlement, which allows also for a deeper inspection into the track structure [5,44].…”

Section: Overview On the Use Of Gpr For Railway Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Railway Track Condition Assessment at Network Level by Frequency Domain Analysis of GPR Data

et al. 2018

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Abstract:The railway track system is a crucial infrastructure for the transportation of people and goods in modern societies. With the increase in railway traffic, the availability of the track for monitoring and maintenance purposes is becoming significantly reduced. Therefore, continuous non-destructive monitoring tools for track diagnoses take on even greater importance. In this context, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technique results yield valuable information on track condition, mainly in the identification of the degradation of its physical and mechanical characteristics caused by subsurface malfunctions. Nevertheless, the application of GPR to assess the ballast condition is a challenging task because the material electromagnetic properties are sensitive to both the ballast grading and water content. This work presents a novel approach, fast and practical for surveying and analysing long sections of transport infrastructure, based mainly on expedite frequency domain analysis of the GPR signal. Examples are presented with the identification of track events, ballast interventions and potential locations of malfunctions. The approach, developed to identify changes in the track infrastructure, allows for a user-friendly visualisation of the track condition, even for GPR non-professionals such as railways engineers, and may further be used to correlate with track geometric parameters. It aims to automatically detect sudden variations in the GPR signals, obtained with successive surveys over long stretches of railway lines, thus providing valuable information in asset management activities of infrastructure managers.

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“…In these experimental activities, surveys were conducted using GPR systems with central frequencies below 500 MHz. More recently, high-frequency (1000 MHz to 2000 MHz) air-launched systems have been mostly adopted [12][13][14][15][16][17][18], due to the advantages observed in terms of results viability and survey productivity.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Railway Ballast Monitoring by GPR: A Test Site Investigation

Ciampoli¹,

Calvi²,

D’Amico³

2019

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Effective maintenance of railways requires a comprehensive assessment of the actual condition of the construction materials involved. In this regard, Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) stands as a viable alternative to the invasive and time-consuming traditional techniques for the inspection of these infrastructures. This work reports the experimental activities carried out on a test-site area within a railway depot in Rome, Italy. To this purpose, a 30 m-long railway section was divided into 10 sub-sections reproducing different various physical and structural conditions of the track-bed. In more detail, combinations of varying scenarios of fragmentation and fouling of the ballast were reproduced. The set-up was then investigated using different multi-frequency GPR horn antenna systems. The effects of the different physical conditions of ballast on the electromagnetic response of the material were analysed for each scenario using time-and frequencydomain signal processing techniques. Parallel to this, modelling was provided to estimate fouling content. Interpretation of results has proven the viability of the GPR method in detecting signs of decay at the network level, thereby proving this technique to be worthy of implementation in asset management systems.

show abstract

An Entropy-Based Analysis of GPR Data for the Assessment of Railway Ballast Conditions

Cited by 28 publications

References 39 publications

Railway Ballast Monitoring by GPR: A Test-Site Investigation

Railway Ballast Monitoring by GPR: A Test-Site Investigation

Railway Track Condition Assessment at Network Level by Frequency Domain Analysis of GPR Data

Railway Ballast Monitoring by GPR: A Test Site Investigation

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