Analysis of Rail Vibration Signal Time and Frequency Structures Generated by Different Mechanisms

Rail vibration signals are complex data represent different phenomena occurred by the wheel-rail contact or others excitations in railway infrastructure. Such signals can be considered as source of interesting information or unwanted degradation or annoying effect. Thus proper analysis of rail vibration signals are important task for the engineering research. The paper presents results of the preliminary analysis of rail vibration signal time and frequency structures generated by different mechanisms. The research assumption was to generate vibrations in the railway rail as a result of various dynamic interactions, which arise as a result of exploitation of the railway infrastructure and vehicle traffic, including the passage of the car through the railway crossing. The aim of the research was to compare the amplitude and frequency of vibration signals and to analyze the possibilities of determination of distinguishing features from different sources signals of vibrations as forced mechanisms. In order to analyze the propagation properties of the vibration wave during the experiments, signals were recorded in 3 perpendicular axes, as carriers of information about longitudinal, transverse and vertical waves. As a result of the conducted research, data sets were collected as orthogonal vibration signals generated by rail vehicle passage and the car passage, by switching of the point mechanism and as a result of single impulse of force, as an example of repair work on the tracks. Further research will be conducted towards statistical analysis of the collected data sets and the use of dedicated signal processing methods.