Ultrasonic Tomography for Rail Flaw Imaging

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Phillips ◽  
Francesco Lanza di Scalea ◽  
Claudio Nucera ◽  
Piervincenzo Rizzo ◽  
Leith Al-Nazer
Keyword(s):  
Human Error ◽  
Ultrasonic Inspection ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Inspection Time ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Ultrasonic Tomography ◽  
Railroad Industry ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Portable System ◽  
High Resolution Images

There is a need in the railroad industry to have quantitative information on internal rail flaws, including flaw size and orientation. Such information can lead to knowledge-based decision making on any remedial action, and ultimately increase the safety of train operations by preventing derailments. Current ultrasonic inspection methods leave such sizing determinations to the inspector, and there can be significant variability from one inspector to another depending on experience and other factors. However, this quantitative information can be obtained accurately by 3-D imaging of the rail flaws. It is the goal of this project to develop a portable system that will improve defect classification in rails and ultimately improve public safety. This paper will present a method for 3-D imaging of internal rail flaws based on Ultrasonic Tomography. The proposed technique combines elements of ultrasonic testing with those of radar and sonar imaging to obtain high-resolution images of the flaws using a stationary array of ultrasonic transducers. The array is operated in a “full matrix capture” scheme that minimizes the number of ultrasonic transmitters, hence simplifying the practical implementation and reducing the inspection time. In this method, a full 3D image of the rail volume identifies the location, size and orientation of the defect. This will help to eliminate human error involved with a typical manual inspection using a single transducer probe inspection. The results of advanced numerical simulations, carried out on a rail profile, will be presented. The simulations show the effectiveness of the technique to image a 5% Head Area Transverse Defect in the railhead. Current efforts are aimed at developing an experimental prototype based on this technology, whose design status is also discussed in this paper.

Characterization of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells and quantum wires by chemical lattice imaging

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 736-737
Author(s):  
A. Carlsson ◽  
J.-O. Malm ◽  
A. Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Well ◽  
Quantum Wells ◽  
Quantum Wires ◽  
Vapour Phase ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Lattice Imaging ◽  
Vapour Phase Epitaxy ◽  
Metalorganic Vapour Phase Epitaxy ◽  
High Resolution Images

In this study a quantum well/quantum wire (QW/QWR) structure grown on a grating of V-grooves has been characterized by a technique related to chemical lattice imaging. This technique makes it possible to extract quantitative information from high resolution images.The QW/QWR structure was grown on a GaAs substrate patterned with a grating of V-grooves. The growth rate was approximately three monolayers per second without growth interruption at the interfaces. On this substrate a barrier of nominally Al0.35 Ga0.65 As was deposited to a thickness of approximately 300 nm using metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy . On top of the Al0.35Ga0.65As barrier a 3.5 nm GaAs quantum well was deposited and to conclude the structure an additional approximate 300 nm Al0.35Ga0.65 As was deposited. The GaAs QW deposited in this manner turns out to be significantly thicker at the bottom of the grooves giving a QWR running along the grooves. During the growth of the barriers an approximately 30 nm wide Ga-rich region is formed at the bottom of the grooves giving a Ga-rich stripe extending from the bottom of each groove to the surface.

Application of IC-models in a combined public-private sector setting for regional innovation in Slovakia

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 588-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roswitha Wiedenhofer ◽  
Christian Friedl ◽  
Lubomir Billy ◽  
Daniela Olejarova
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Innovation System ◽  
Training System ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Regional Innovation ◽  
Methodological Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
E Learning

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to support the competitiveness and knowledge-based economic growth of the Slovak region of Košice and its stakeholders; suitable intellectual capital (IC) methodologies were selected and applied. This approach responds to a weak innovation performance of Slovakia in general and a weak connection of the Slovak labour market and vocational training system. Design/methodology/approach The methodological “backbone” is given by IC reporting (ICR). The two ICR models – the Austrian University model and the German “Alwert” model – were selected and transferred to higher educational institutions (HEI) and companies in Košice. The knowledge transfer was accomplished by implementation of on-site trainings with different groups of stakeholders, supported by e-learning. Several accompanying in-depth interviews with Austrian stakeholders were conducted to derive recommendations for ICR implementation in the Slovak public sector. Findings Beyond knowledge transfer, a shared understanding of the importance of IC management and common “IC language” between different stakeholders of the regional innovation system could be developed. Further, several recommendations for a sound development of an IC governance tool for HEI were elaborated. Practical implications The knowledge transfer and practical implementation of this Slovak case were successful. Requests for follow-up initiatives, invitations for conferences, development of projects including ICR elements prove this valuation. Originality/value A methodological innovation was accomplished by adapting a set of innovation key drivers as structural base for the development of the regional innovation function and interaction of stakeholders.

Software Interface Evaluation: Modeling of Human Error

1993 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 453-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Wright ◽  
S. J. Packebush ◽  
D. A. Mitta
Keyword(s):  
Human Error ◽  
Interface Element ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Rule Based ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Software Interface ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Cognitive Levels ◽  
Graphics Software ◽  
And Task

The purpose of this study was to use a human error model to evaluate a commercially available Macintosh-based graphics application based upon the frequencies and types of mistakes occurring during users' performance of designated tasks. The occurrence of high frequencies of knowledge-based and rule-based mistakes during the learning of an interface element would indicate that the element requires evaluation and possible redesign. This study involved five participants, all of whom were students at Texas A&M University. The participants were experienced Macintosh users with no experience using Macintosh graphics software. The graphics environment of interest was MacDraw II® 1.0 Version 2 (Schutten, Goldsmith, Kaptanoglu, and Spiegel, 1988). Ten drawings created with the program were used to examine participants' cognitive levels and types of errors made throughout the process of familiarizing themselves with this program. The first drawing was created to exemplify simple figures created with the graphics tools in the program to illustrate shading. The second through tenth drawings incorporated these figures in several arrangements. All drawings incorporated eight tools (or tasks), and each tool was used only once in each drawing. The results indicated significant differences in frequencies of error types, frequencies of errors between tasks and frequencies of errors between trials. There were also interactions between trial and error, and task and error.

Seasonal Effect on the Optimization of Rail Defect Inspection Frequency

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Liu ◽  
C. Tyler Dick ◽  
Alexander Lovett ◽  
Mohd Rapik Saat ◽  
Christopher P. L. Barkan
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Ultrasonic Inspection ◽  
Transportation Safety ◽  
Seasonal Effect ◽  
Infrastructure Management ◽  
Defect Inspection ◽  
Railroad Industry ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Rail Inspection ◽  
Non Destructive

Broken rails are the most common cause of severe freight-train derailments on American railroads. Reducing the occurrence of broken-rail-caused derailments is an important safety objective for the railroad industry. The current practice is to periodically inspect rails using non-destructive technologies such as ultrasonic inspection. Determining the optimal rail defect inspection frequency is a critical decision in railway infrastructure management. There is a seasonal variation in the occurrence of broken rails that result in train derailments. This paper quantifies the effect of this seasonal variation on the risk-based optimization of rail inspection frequency. This research can be incorporated into a larger framework of broken rail risk management to improve railroad transportation safety.

scholarly journals An Innovative Visualization Tool to Boost and Monitor Circular Economy: An Overview of Its Applications at Different Industrial Sectors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusto Bianchini ◽  
Jessica Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Economic And Social Impacts

The quantification of the circular economy and sustainability is a relevant aspect at different levels of applications: (i) the companies need to evaluate and improve the environmental, economic, and social impacts of their products and processes; (ii) the financial bodies must have quantitative information about the potential and risks of different proposed initiatives to select the optimal opportunity; and (iii) the policy-makers must be guided for the coherent definition of strategies at regional, national and international scales, setting realistic targets and measuring their effectiveness. However, the lack of comprehensive and robust approaches to quantify circular economy makes it challenging to apply quantitative methods and indicators in different contexts and compare the results, with the risk of limiting the practical implementation of circular initiatives due to unknown and/or unclear potential and contribution. The ViVACE® tool (Visualization of Value to Assess Circular Economy), developed by the authors, is a promising and effective means to collect data in a systematized manner, helpful to assess sectorial and cross-sectorial indicators about sustainability. It has been applied to different industrial sectors (e.g., plastics, food processing, textile) for different purposes. These applications are described in detail to highlight the potential, versatility, and implications of the proposed tool in boosting the effective transition to a circular economy.

scholarly journals Computerized Ultrasonic Imaging Inspection: From Shallow to Deep Learning

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 3820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaxing Ye ◽  
Shunya Ito ◽  
Nobuyuki Toyama
Keyword(s):  
Computer Vision ◽  
Deep Learning ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Ultrasonic Inspection ◽  
Ultrasonic Imaging ◽  
Representation Learning ◽  
Processing Technique ◽  
Experimental Comparison ◽  
Image Analysis System

For many decades, ultrasonic imaging inspection has been adopted as a principal method to detect multiple defects, e.g., void and corrosion. However, the data interpretation relies on an inspector’s subjective judgment, thus making the results vulnerable to human error. Nowadays, advanced computer vision techniques reveal new perspectives on the high-level visual understanding of universal tasks. This research aims to develop an efficient automatic ultrasonic image analysis system for nondestructive testing (NDT) using the latest visual information processing technique. To this end, we first established an ultrasonic inspection image dataset containing 6849 ultrasonic scan images with full defect/no-defect annotations. Using the dataset, we performed a comprehensive experimental comparison of various computer vision techniques, including both conventional methods using hand-crafted visual features and the most recent convolutional neural networks (CNN) which generate multiple-layer stacking for representation learning. In the computer vision community, the two groups are referred to as shallow and deep learning, respectively. Experimental results make it clear that the deep learning-enabled system outperformed conventional (shallow) learning schemes by a large margin. We believe this benchmarking could be used as a reference for similar research dealing with automatic defect detection in ultrasonic imaging inspection.

Knowledge based engineering approach for subsea pipeline systems’ FFR assessment

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M. Chandima Ratnayake
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Organization ◽  
Management System ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Information Management System ◽  
Rule Base ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Computerized Maintenance Management System ◽  
Structured Information ◽  
Knowledge Based Engineering

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on developing a knowledge-based engineering (KBE) approach to recycle the knowledge accrued in an industrial organization for the mitigation of unwanted events due to human error. The recycling of the accrued knowledge is vital in mitigating the variance present at different levels of engineering applications, evaluations and assessments in assuring systems’ safety. The approach is illustrated in relation to subsea systems’ functional failure risk (FFR) analysis. Design/methodology/approach – A fuzzy expert system (FES)-based approach has been proposed to facilitate FFR assessment and to make knowledge recycling possible via a rule base and membership functions (MFs). The MFs have been developed based on the experts’ knowledge, data, information, and on their insights into the selected subsea system. The rule base has been developed to fulfill requirements and guidelines specified in DNV standard DNV-RP-F116 and NORSOK standard Z-008. Findings – It is possible to use the FES-based KBE approach to make FFR assessments of the equipment installed in a subsea system, focussing on potential functional failures and related consequences. It is possible to integrate the aforementioned approach in an engineering service provider’s existing structured information management system or in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) available in an asset owner’s industrial organization. Research limitations/implications – The FES-based KBE approach provides a consistent way to incorporate actual circumstances at the boundary of the input ranges or at the levels of linguistic data and risk categories. It minimizes the variations present in the assessments. Originality/value – The FES-based KBE approach has been demonstrated in relation to the requirements and guidelines specified in DNV standard DNV-RP-F116 and NORSOK standard Z-008. The suggested KBE-based FES that has been utilized for FFR assessment allows the relevant quantitative and qualitative data (or information) related to equipment installed in subsea systems to be employed in a coherent manner with less variability, while improving the quality of inspection and maintenance recommendations.

scholarly journals Evaluation and Selection of Video Stabilization Techniques for UAV-Based Active Infrared Thermography Application

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1604
Author(s):  
Shashank Pant ◽  
Parham Nooralishahi ◽  
Nicolas P. Avdelidis ◽  
Clemente Ibarra-Castanedo ◽  
Marc Genest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Thermography ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Inspection Time ◽  
Video Stabilization ◽  
Inspection System ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Active Infrared Thermography ◽  
Thermal Profiling ◽  
Digital Video Stabilization

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that can fly around an aircraft carrying several sensors, e.g., thermal and optical cameras, to inspect the parts of interest without removing them can have significant impact in reducing inspection time and cost. One of the main challenges in the UAV based active InfraRed Thermography (IRT) inspection is the UAV’s unexpected motions. Since active thermography is mainly concerned with the analysis of thermal sequences, unexpected motions can disturb the thermal profiling and cause data misinterpretation especially for providing an automated process pipeline of such inspections. Additionally, in the scenarios where post-analysis is intended to be applied by an inspector, the UAV’s unexpected motions can increase the risk of human error, data misinterpretation, and incorrect characterization of possible defects. Therefore, post-processing is required to minimize/eliminate such undesired motions using digital video stabilization techniques. There are number of video stabilization algorithms that are readily available; however, selecting the best suited one is also challenging. Therefore, this paper evaluates video stabilization algorithms to minimize/mitigate undesired UAV motion and proposes a simple method to find the best suited stabilization algorithm as a fundamental first step towards a fully operational UAV-IRT inspection system.

Reporting on the Past: A New Approach to Improving Accounting Today

1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell J. Lundholm
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Accounting Model

In the last few years the financial accounting model has been attacked on a number of fronts. Some argue that the model reports irrelevant information in today's knowledge-based economy, while others argue that the model's reporting discretion makes the results unreliable. Accruals allow the model to report wealth creation or depletion in a more timely manner, yet they also allow abuse when the underlying estimates are intentionally distorted. But surprisingly, the accuracy of the estimates underlying the accruals is never examined; rather current accruals are mixed together with the reversals of prior accruals. I propose that the financial reporting model be amended to report on the ex post accuracy of a firm's prior estimates. Doing so will identify firms that have abused their reporting discretion in the past and provide valuable information about the expected credibility of the firm's disclosures in the present. Firms will also have a greater incentive to make accurate estimates and accruals if they know that opportunistic estimates will be explicitly revealed in the future. Finally, accounting regulators might be more inclined to recognize nontraditional assets in the financial statements if a system is in place that gives firms an incentive to accurately estimate the value of these assets. In this paper I give an example of the type of disclosure I am proposing, discuss the benefits it offers to investors, and address some practical implementation issues.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document