The Possibility of Detecting Defects in Rail Foot by the MFL Method

The article investigates the possibility of detecting defects in the form of transverse cracks in rail foot under continuous in-service inspection of rails. The MFL method is chosen as an alternative to ultrasonic testing. Computer modeling was carried out, based on the results of which a working model of the system for magnetizing and recording of monitoring signals was developed and constructed. Experimental studies on detection of crack models in rail foot were carried out in laboratory conditions. The studies confirmed the results of computer modeling and proved the possibility of detecting such crack models. The minimum sizes of detectable crack models in the zone of rail fastening and between them have been estimated.