Influences of frictional processes at the wheel-rail interface on the generation of heat flow in the rail

Heavy haul operating conditions in Australia are some of the most severe in the world, resulting in large contact stresses and eventual failure of the rail. A common flaw type with limited research focus are rail foot flaws. Given the physical obstruction for any contact method detection of these flaws, a non-contact method is required. Infrared thermography for this purpose has been proposed as a research topic. This paper explores rail surface temperature and presents details of field trials undertaken for development of a rail heat transfer model and a thermography based detection technique. © 2018 TU Delft.