Empirical Model of the Rail Head Operational Crack on the Example of a Head Check Defect

Abstract

Abstract. The paper presents a method and the results of the CT test of the head check defect, which commonly occurs in rails. It is one of the most dangerous defects which cause rail discontinuity. The methods of simulation of the ultrasonic wave and projection possibilities of the real defect have been taken under consideration. The paper outlines the ultrasonic wave simulation method and describes the ultrasonic probe optimization results for the considered discontinuities.