Abstract: A method of evaluating railway ties for deterioration is mounted on a moving vehicle along the rails where the presence of the tie is detected and an impact energy source is used to create at least one wave in a surface of the tie which travels longitudinally along the tie. At positions spaced longitudinally from the source, the time of arrival of the wave is detected typically by a series of sensors responsive to air pressure changes to determine a speed of propagation of the wave in the tie and, in the event that the speed in said tie is below a predetermined speed, an output indication is provided regarding the deterioration of the tie, which can include a real time marking of the tie detected.

Abstract: A method of evaluating railway ties for deterioration is mounted on a moving vehicle along the rails where the presence of the tie is detected and an impact energy source is used to create at least one wave in a surface of the tie which travels longitudinally along the tie. At positions spaced longitudinally from the source, the time of arrival of the wave is detected typically by a series of sensors responsive to air pressure changes to determine a speed of propagation of the wave in the tie and, in the event that the speed in said tie is below a predetermined speed, an output indication is provided regarding the deterioration of the tie, which can include a real time marking of the tie detected.

Abstract: An automatic sonic/ultrasonic data acquisition system for collecting data from concrete railroad ties. The system has a frame, a wheel carried by the frame and constructed and arranged to rotate relative to the frame such that the wheel can roll along the top of a rail, an axle suspended from the frame and adapted to be rotated relative to the frame via rotation of the wheel, one or more sensors coupled to the axle and constructed and arranged to contact the ties as the frame is moved along the rails, and an energy source for initiating in the ties compressional and/or shear/Rayleigh waves that are sensed by the sensors.

Abstract: An automatic sonic/ultrasonic data acquisition system for collecting data from concrete railroad ties. The system has a frame, a wheel carried by the frame and constructed and arranged to rotate relative to the frame such that the wheel can roll along the top of a rail, an axle suspended from the frame and adapted to be rotated relative to the frame via rotation of the wheel, one or more sensors coupled to the axle and constructed and arranged to contact the ties as the frame is moved along the rails, and an energy source for initiating in the ties compressional and/or shear/Rayleigh waves that are sensed by the sensors.

Abstract: An automatic sonic/ultrasonic data acquisition device that is constructed and arranged to be moved across the surface of a concrete structure, to collect data from the structure. There is a frame, a number of wheels carried by the frame, one or more sensors carried by a wheel and constructed and arranged to contact the structure as the wheels roll along a surface of the structure, and an energy source for initiating compressional and/or shear waves in the structure that are sensed by the sensors. The wheels rotate properly timed and in unison so that the pressure transducers are in contact with the surface when the sound waves are initiated.

Abstract: An automatic sonic/ultrasonic data acquisition device that is constructed and arranged to be moved across the surface of a concrete structure, to collect data from the structure. There is a frame, a number of wheels carried by the frame, one or more sensors carried by a wheel and constructed and arranged to contact the structure as the wheels roll along a surface of the structure, and an energy source for initiating compressional and/or shear waves in the structure that are sensed by the sensors. The wheels rotate properly timed and in unison so that the pressure transducers are in contact with the surface when the sound waves are initiated.