Method of improving quality and reliability of welded rail joint properties by ultrasonic impact treatment

A method for improving the performance of sections of rails joined together by welding by reworking welded joints utilizing an ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) process either before welding, during welding, after welding or during repairs of used rails, including treatment of a joint, around a joint and/or length of a rail, in order to increasing fatigue life and/or other properties of welded rail sections is disclosed. The method provides reduction of stress defects and redistribution of internal stress patterns in the vicinity of weld seams of rails. The UIT provides periodic pulse energy impact treatment with surfaces in welded rails to induce internal compression waves inducing a metal plasticity state in the vicinity of the weld seam of the rail or in the rail itself .