United States Department of Transportation
i
Ballast Fouling Measurement Tool: Phase 1
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2018-09-01
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[PDF-4.29 MB]
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Edition:Technical Report 12/2014
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Abstract:A prototype man-portable ballast inspection instrument was developed by Earth Science Systems, LLC (ESS) at their facility for use by track inspectors based on ground penetrating radar (GPR) called the RAdar Ballast Inspection Tool (RABIT). During this study, it was determined that the RABIT system worked well for assessing the moisture of ballast. A collection of software routines was created for modeling and analyzing GPR data. One routine worked well when measurements were made at a single location, and another when continuous measurements were made along the track. A series of full-scale ballast models were created with a range of ballast conditions. GPR measurements from these models provided a reference dataset for calibrating the analysis routines. The system was preliminarily tested at the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) Rocky Siding track site. Finally, recommendations were made for building a small handheld system for easy spot measurements, and another system mounted to a small track dolly for more detailed measurements.
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