Electrochemical Fatigue Sensor Demonstration on the Steel Bridge at the FAST
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2008-07-01
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Alternative Title:Electrochemical Fatigue Sensor Demonstration on the Steel Bridge at the [Facility for Accelerated Service Testing]
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Abstract:Engineers from Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) and Material Technologies, Inc. (MATECH) recently demonstrated a new nondestructive evaluation technology on the steel bridge at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) in Pueblo, Colorado. The system demonstrated is called the Electrochemical Fatigue Sensor (EFS) and is part of the AAR’s Strategic Research Initiatives Program, with support from the Federal Railroad Administration. The system demonstration was used to detect growth activity in 13 cracks in the bridge. Observations showed that the EFS system can be readily set up for testing on a railroad bridge. At this point, the EFS system simply indicates the presence or absence of crack growth activity. Due to the step-like character of crack growth in this test bridge, a short-term measurement during a dormant period might miss crack growth that could resume in the future [Ref. 1, 2]. Further development work is progressing on two issues: (1) to calibrate the system to provide a growth rate, rather than simply indicating whether or not there is growth activity and (2) develop long-term monitoring capabilities to determine average growth rates over extended periods of time. With the accomplishment of these further developments, the EFS could become a viable tool for use in railroad applications that help prioritize and verify the success of maintenance and replacement work.
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