In view of the high concealment, rapid development and great harmfulness of rail squats-and-studs in high-speed railway, a fast way for diagnosis and control is crucial for ensuring train operation safety and improving passenger comfort. This paper first analyzes the static characteristics of squats-and-studs and the induced dynamic response characteristics, and compares the similarities and differences between the impact response signal characteristics induced by squats-and-studs and those induced by rail joints. Then, based on the axle box acceleration signals from vehicle dynamic response, a fast diagnosis method for rail squats-and-studs in high-speed railway using the Squats-and-studs Impact Index is proposed. The calculation time differences between the fast calculation method and the traditional calculation method under different data volumes are compared to verify the high efficiency of the proposed method. Finally, the method is validated through three typical application cases. The results show that the proposed method can effectively diagnose early-stage, medium-term and continuous squats-and-studs, providing theoretical and technical support for the effective management and remediation of rail squats-and-studs in high-speed railway, for the expansion of the short-wave condition management system of high-speed railway tracks, and for ensuring the safety of high-speed railway lines.
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