Analysis of Sensitivity of Distance between Embedded Ultrasonic Sensors and Signal Processing on Damage Detectability in Concrete Structures

Abstract

Damage detection of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is becoming a more attractive domain due to the safety issues arising in the last few decades. The damage in concrete can be caused by excessive exploitation of the structure or environmental effects. The cracks in concrete can be detected by different nondestructive testing methods. However, the available methods used for this purpose have numerous limitations. The technologies available in the market nowadays have difficulties detecting slowly progressive, locally limited damage. In addition, some of these methods cannot be applied, especially in hard-to-reach areas in the superstructures. In order to avoid these deficiencies, an embedded ultrasonic methodology can be used to detect cracks in RC structures. In this study, the methodology of crack detection supported with the advanced signal processing algorithm was proposed and verified on RC structures of various types, and cracks occurring between embedded sensors can be detected. Moreover, different pairs of ultrasonic sensors located in the considered structures are used for the analysis of the sensitivity of distance between them. It is shown that the ultrasonic sensors placed in the range of 1.5–2 m can detect cracks, even when the other methods failed to detect changes in the structure. The obtained results confirmed that diffuse ultrasonic sensor methodology is able to monitor real structures more effectively than traditional techniques.

A Systematic Review of Advanced Sensor Technologies for Non-Destructive Testing and Structural Health Monitoring

“…To address this shortcoming, embedded ultrasonic techniques can be used to detect damage. In [ 173 ], Chakraborty et al presented a methodology for crack detection based on an advanced signal processing algorithm. The method was tested on various reinforced concrete structures, and cracks between embedded sensors were identified.…”

Signal-Level Fusion Approach for Embedded Ultrasonic Sensors in Damage Detection of Real RC Structures

“…The purpose of the field test was to reveal the sensitivity of the presented fusion methodology to detect internal changes in the reference real structure (tensile and compressive stresses). The primary experimental object (BLEIB) was located in Horstwalde, Berlin, which allows us to demonstrate the real bridge, and reveal the sensitivity of our fusion methodology considering all the influences of a real structure [5,42]. The BLEIB object is a 25 m-long continuous beam (see Figure 13A).…”

“…In civil engineering, the available NDT techniques are listed as follows: ultrasound; impact-echo; acoustic emission; strain gauges; fiber optics; and, more locally, rebound hammer, etc. [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Among them, ultrasonic testing (ultrasonic pulse velocity), impact echo, acoustic emission and rebound have been the most common techniques for many years.…”