Nonlinear Acoustic Spectroscopy Method for Nondestructive Testing of Thermally Damaged Concrete

Abstract

Most concrete structures are subjected to a range of temperature corresponding to normal environmental temperatures. However, there are important cases where concrete structures may be exposed to much higher temperatures (e.g., jet aircraft engine blasts, building fires, chemical and metallurgical industrial applications in which the concrete is in close proximity to furnaces, and some nuclear power-related postulated accident conditions). Exposure of concrete to high temperatures affects its mechanical properties. In this paper we examine the dependence of the fundamental frequency on temperature to which the concrete beams were heated. Fundamental frequencies were obtained by an innovative method used Pseudorandom Binary Sequence of Maximum Length as a perturbation signal. For the verification of the results the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity in concrete were also measured and flexural bending strengths were determined. The results show method with Pseudorandom Binary Sequence of Maximum Length as a perturbation signal as a very promising for non-destructive testing of thermally damaged concrete.

Nondestructive Testing Technology and Quality Management of Roads and Bridges

“…Due to certain deficiencies in design, construction, and materials, these defects can cause inherent weaknesses in roads and bridge structures. In addition, roads and bridges will suffer from inevitable man-made damage and various natural erosion in the process of operation and use, resulting in acquired diseases [3,4,5]. The adverse effects of congenital defects and acquired diseases are often combined.…”