Diagnosing the soundness of existing structures

Railways are made up of a range of different structures, quite a few of which are susceptible to superannuation, meaning that their maintenance is increasingly important. In research and development on methods of surveying and evaluating the soundness of such existing structures, the Railway Technical Research Institute has developed a method of evaluating the soundness of foundation structures through impact vibration tests, as well as a similar system for use with concrete structures, steel structures and tunnels. This paper outlines the development of these technologies.