Measurement and simulation of millimeter wave scattering cross-sections from steel-reinforced concrete

Abstract

Some iron oxide corrosion products exhibit antiferromagnetic magnetic resonances (AFMR) at frequencies on the order of 100 GHz at ambient temperatures. AFMR can be detected in laboratory conditions, which serves as the basis for a new non-destructive spectroscopic method for detecting early corrosion. When attempting to measure the steel corrosion in reinforced concrete in the field, rebar geometry must be taken into account. Experiments and numerical simulations have been developed at frequencies near 100 GHz to sort out these effects. The experimental setup involves a vector network analyzer with converter heads to up-convert the output frequency, which is then connected to a horn antenna followed by a 7.5 cm diameter polymer lens to focus the waves on the sample. Two sets of samples were studied: uniform cylindrical rods and rebar corrosion samples broken out of concrete with different kinds of coatings. Electromagnetic scattering from uniform rods were calculated numerically using classical modal expansion. A finite-element electromagnetic solver was used to model more complex rebar geometry and non-uniform corrosion layers. Experimental and numerical data were compared to help quantify and understand the anticipated effect of local geometrical features on AFMR measurements.

Corrosion detection in steel-reinforced concrete using a spectroscopic technique

“…For 50 mm of concrete, the signal power is estimated therefore to be attenuated by approximately a factor of 110 dB (50 mm in and 50 mm return). Electromagnetic scattering from rebars with a non-uniform surface has been modeled [7] to help with signal deconvolution from AFMR detection in real geometries.…”