Ultrasonic Guided Waves

Guided waves are low-frequency ultrasound that travels long distances in rails, plates, and shells, making them attractive for inspection and monitoring when access is limited. We can help a consortium design realistic guided-wave approaches: selecting practical wave modes, understanding dispersion (how the wave speed varies with frequency), choosing transducers and coupling methods, and building signal-processing steps that tolerate real noise. We focus on producing procedures that technicians can repeat, with clear settings, calibration steps, and acceptance criteria.

This fits naturally in inspection and monitoring work packages where partners need credible baselines before scaling. We can run small lab demonstrations to set expectations—what defect sizes might be detectable at what distances—and provide the scripts and spreadsheets others can reuse. We also help teams choose between permanently installed sensors for continuous monitoring versus “campaign-based” inspections when trains are available.

Example applications
• Long-range checks on rails or welded attachments where access is awkward.
• Monitoring corrosion or loosening on panels, covers, or hatch structures.
• Screening composite or bonded repairs on rolling stock.

Deliverables
• Inspection concepts, mode and frequency choices, couplant/transducer recommendations.
• Data-processing pipelines (filtering, time-of-flight, dispersion compensation).
• A concise procedure and a short validation plan with measurable performance targets.