On site project: Remote measurements of railway infrastructure

In June, Load Indicator carried out an on site project together with a company in third party inspection where the end customer operates in railway infrastructure. The assignment was carried out in southern Sweden and lasted for two months. The installation of instruments was completed over two weeks and the measurement could then be monitored remotely.

The project began with a pilot study by Load Indicator where the customer defined the purpose of the measurement and the accessibility of the object to be used in the project. The pilot study became an important foundation for the entire assignment because it clarified both the project goals and the practical conditions required to carry out the measurement in a complex environment.

After a careful review of the possibilities around the requested measurement points and measurement data, a measurement plan was summarised and the project moved on to practical planning. This phase was crucial to ensure that installation, data collection and follow up could be carried out in an efficient and reliable way.

“Accessibility is challenging because objects within railway infrastructure are used around the clock, all year round. But after careful planning in cooperation with all stakeholders, a good plan for implementation was found,” says Daniel Rosario, Operations Manager at Load Indicator.

The project used approximately 75 measurement channels with different instruments including strain gauges, accelerometers, pressure sensors and a linear potentiometer, which were connected to measurement amplifiers. This made it possible to collect extensive measurement data from several parameters and create a more complete picture of the behaviour and load of the measured object over time.

To enable ongoing follow up, equipment was also used to monitor the measurement remotely through GPS and radar functions. This meant that the project did not only include the on site installation itself, but also a solution for monitoring and following the development throughout the entire measurement period.

Some of the components used in the measurement were sent in advance to Load Indicator in Gothenburg to be instrumented and calibrated in the factory. Mounts for some of the instruments were also designed based on the components of the object and 3D printed. This made it possible to adapt the solution to the specific requirements of the project and create strong conditions for safe and accurate installation.

This measurement is one of several tools that contributes to an overall analysis of the condition of the object being measured. It also contributes to life cycle analysis and a better understanding of future maintenance requirements. With the right planning, the right instrumentation and the right analysis, this type of project can provide valuable insights that support both safer operation and more accurate decisions about future maintenance.

If you need on site measurements, instrumentation in complex environments or a basis for understanding future maintenance requirements, we are happy to help. Load Indicator plans and carries out on site projects based on your specific conditions and requirements.

Contact us if you want to know more about how we can contribute with the right measurement solution for your operations.