The objective of this leaflet is to supplement the information in UIC Leaflet 712 by giving recommendations regarding the maintenance of rails (monitoring and elimination of defects).
The document contains three chapters:
Chapter 1: Key inspection factors
Chapter 2: Defect classification and action to be taken
Chapter 3: Detection methods.
and three Appendices
- Examples of research results on crack growth rates
- Defect management
- Qualification of operators and approval of inspection equipment.
This document takes account of recent experience acquired by railways on the how these problems develop and the measures to be applied to rail defects caused by contact rolling fatigue which is an increasingly common phenomenon.
This document is limited to describing the principles of monitoring and eliminating rail defects which may result in rail cracks and breakages.

Summary 1

1 - Key inspection factors 2

1.1 - Simple laws concerning crack growth 2

1.2 - Maintenance principles 4

1.3 - Key parameters for planning of inspection cycles 5

1.4 - Rail inspection cycles 6

2 - Defect types and action to be taken 8

2.1 - Defect types 8

2.2 - Minimum measures to be applied according to defect category 17

3 - Detection methods 21

3.1 - Overview 21

3.2 - Recommendations on detection methods 22

Appendix A - Examples of research results on crack growth rates 26

A.1 - Internal cracks 26

A.2 - Surface initiated cracks 28

Appendix B - Defect management 30

Appendix C - Qualification of non destructive testing (NDT) personnel 31

C.1 - Qualification of personnel carrying out ultrasonic inspections 31

C.2 - Qualification of personnel carrying out eddy current inspections 31

C.3 - Qualification of personnel responsible for magnetic particle inspection,

visual inspection and dye penetration procedures 31

List of abbreviations 32

Bibliography 33

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