This thesis proposes a quantitative method to optimize inspection/repair intervention in rail defect management. Rail defect management is important for track maintenance, since rails are the most significant and basic component of the track systems. Rail inspection is a fundamental intervention to prevent rail failure. Railroads have evolved the rail inspection interval based on their empirical judgement and on field data. A crack size is predicted by linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The proposed method identifies the time-varying rail reliability due to deterioration, using data obtained from LEFM and from first-order reliability methods (FORM), which consider the uncertainty regarding the model. Since FORM is an approximation method, Monte Carlo simulation confirms the results. To represent practical situations regarding rail defect management, an event tree (ET) analysis is performed. The ET is modeled to all events and actions with respect to inspection/repair intervention. The ET analysis evaluates the expected reliability of a rail after inspections and possible remedial actions. Based on these results, a life-cycle cost (LCC) model is formulated, taking into consideration the time value of money. To this end, applications of the model to optimization of inspection intervals and to investigation of the effect of nondestructive testing and remedial actions on the LCC and the interval are analyzed.

    (cont.) As a result, it is possible to extend the present inspection interval. Additionally, the effect of detectability of nondestructive testing on the LCC is more significant than that of accuracy of nondestructive testing, and a proactive maintenance policy may reduce both the expected total cost and the number of inspections.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Reliability-based optimization of rail inspection


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2004


    Size :

    126 pages , 3393398 byte , 3393204 byte


    Remarks:

    Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2004.
    Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-126).


    Type of media :

    Theses


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Inspection reliability and periodicity for rail axle inspection

    Rudlin, J. / Muhammed, A. / Schneider, C. | Tema Archive | 2006


    RAIL INSPECTION DEVICE AND RAIL INSPECTION SYSTEM

    European Patent Office | 2022

    Free access

    RAIL INSPECTION DEVICE AND RAIL INSPECTION SYSTEM

    KAWABATA RYUZO / KANDORI AKIHIKO / SHIZAWA NORITAKE et al. | European Patent Office | 2023

    Free access

    Rail inspection equipment and rail inspection vehicle

    ZHAO YONG / XING CUNLIANG / LI PEIYAO et al. | European Patent Office | 2025

    Free access

    RAIL INSPECTION DEVICE AND RAIL INSPECTION SYSTEM

    HORII TAKAHIRO / NAKANO YOSHIHIRO | European Patent Office | 2018

    Free access