operation of trains. The railway axles could include some defects like cracks, scratches or
inhomogeneities which could contribute to the fatigue crack initiation and in the final stage to
axle failure. The non-destructive testing methods are not reliable for detection of relatively
short (circa 1–2 mm), but even dangerous cracks. For conservative estimation of residual
fatigue lifetime the railway axle containing initial crack should be considered. The residual …