Stress Measurement in Railroad Rail using Ultrasonic and Magnetic Techniques

The nondestructive measurement of stress is a continuing concern to the railroad industry. Severe web cracking tendencies in some rails have been linked to high residual stresses created during rail production. Rails are plastically deformed during the final stage of production, known as roller-straightening. While most rails have the same characteristic stress distribution afforded by this process, safety concerns warrant the detection of pronounced stress levels that would lead to exaggerated cracking behavior