Characterization of Sub-Millimeter Subsurface Cracks in Rails Using Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Abstract

Precise measurements of crack morphology, such as width and depth in rails, are crucial for maintaining safety and extending the service life of rail systems. Conventional nondestructive ultrasound imaging struggles to detect near-surface sub-millimeter flaws. In this study, we propose contrast-enhanced ultrafast ultrasound (CEUUS) imaging as a novel technique for nondestructive rail evaluation. Unlike conventional ultrasound methods that rely on signal responses from the defects, our approach rapidly acquires thousands of frames in seconds, enabling spatiotemporal tracking of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) from background noise. CEUUS was applied to a steel block and rail section with machined cracks. Our results demonstrate that CEUUS imaging can detect sub-millimeter crack geometries (i.e., width, orientation, and depth) with estimation errors ranging from 1% to 12.5%. These results highlight the potential of CEUUS to overcome longstanding challenges in detecting subsurface cracks, enabling earlier intervention and more reliable structural health monitoring in rail systems.

Publication Title

International Conference on Transportation and Development 2026 Transportation Planning and Operations Selected Papers from the International Conference on Transportation and Development 2026

ISBN

[9780784487020]

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