Review of the Air-Coupled Impact-Echo Method for Non-Destructive Testing

Abstract

Abstract. The article presents the general idea of Air-Coupled Impact-Echo (ACIE) method which is one of the non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques used in the construction industry. One of the main advantages of the general Impact Echo (IE) method is that it is sufficient to access from one side to that of the structure which greatly facilitate research in the road facilities or places which are difficult to access and diagnose. The main purpose of the article is to present state-of-the-art related to ACIE method based on the publications available at Thomson Reuters Web of Science Core Collection database (WOS) with the further analysis of the mentioned methods. Deeper analysis was also performed for the newest publications published within last 3 years related to ACIE for investigation on the subject of main focus of the researchers and scientists to try to define possible regions where additional examination and work is necessary. One of the main conclusions that comes from the performed analysis is that ACIE methods can be widely used for performing NDT of concrete structures and can be performed faster than standard IE method thanks to the Air-coupled sensors. What is more, 92.3% of the analysed recent research described in publications connected with ACIE was performed in laboratories, and only 23.1% in-situ on real structures. This indicates that method requires further research to prepare test stand ready to perform analysis on real objects outside laboratory conditions. Moreover, algorithms that are used for data processing and later presentation in ACIE method are still being developed and there is no universal solution available for all kinds of the existing and possible to find defects, which indicates possible research area for further works. Authors are of the opinion that emerging ACIE method could be good opportunity for ND testing especially for concrete structures. Development and refinement of test stands that will allow to perform in-situ tests could shorten the overall time of the research and with the connection of implementation of higher accuracy algorithms for data analysis better precision of defects localization can be achieved.

Scientific activities in Construction Technology Management filed of Construction Innovations Academic Association

“…A research project prepared by a three-person team. Its effect is also the implementation of research for the doctoral thesis and preparation of the publication [13]. It was presented at the 2nd World Multidisciplinary Civil Engineering conference.…”

Comparison of sensors for contactless detection of void behind concrete using stress waves

“…Therefore, replacing the surfacemounted accelerometer with a contactless solution would be necessary for this application. Studies have investigated the use of contactless (air-coupled) sensors [8], such as laser vibrometers and microphones [9], [10]. [11] The aim of this study is to compare the performance of microphone, laser vibrometer, and particle velocity meter for the application of detecting voids behind concrete sewer pipes using stress waves.…”

Dramatic voids and how to find them: In-pipe condition assessment of sewer pipes

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