IDENTIFICATION AND MAINTENANCE OF DEFECTS IN A SECTION OF RAILWAY TRACK IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF UBERLÂNDIA/MG

Resumo

This study aims to analyze and quantify the defects present in the railway track superstructure along an approximately 2 km stretch of railway track in the municipality of Uberlândia/MG, through visual track inspections carried out in the field. The research is quantitative and descriptive in nature, based on an adapted application of the method proposed by Ildefonso (2013) for the identification, classification, and evaluation of the severity of the observed defects. The data obtained are organized and analyzed to determine the frequency of occurrence and the level of severity of the identified defects, enabling the evaluation of the railway's condition. The analysis of the results allows the identification of the most critical elements of the superstructure and an understanding of the structural behavior of the track under the operational conditions and maintenance practices adopted. The defects found are presented using a grid-based representation, which facilitates visualization and contributes to the technical diagnosis of the evaluated railway track, providing relevant information for the planning and management of railway maintenance, in addition to reinforcing the importance of continuous monitoring of defects to ensure operational safety and the durability of railway infrastructure.