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

Abstract

This paper presents a novel methodology to fuse signals from multiple ultrasonic sensors and detect cracks in the reinforced concrete reference structure using nondecimate discrete wavelet transform. The behaviour of a reinforced concrete structure subjected to operational changes is considered. The changes/damage detection procedure is based on a novel sensor fusion method. Several advantages of the proposed approach using the sensor fusion method with respect to features from single pair of sensors were shown and discussed based on the tested objects. A CWT feature-based approach is considered to extract damage-sensitive features. Experimental results using the proposed approach show a probability of detection greater than 94% when detecting cracks due to quasistatic load. Due to the comprehensive effectiveness and low computational complexity, the proposed approach could be performed in large real structural damage assessment problems as well.

BSV System with MSC and Its Application in the Measurement of Surface Cracks

“…For instance, two methods for fusion-based damage diagnostics for stifened composite panels have been proposed in literature [10], which demonstrates that the intrinsic capacity of the two techniques can be utilized, leading to synergistic efects for damage diagnostics. Literature [11] proposes a methodology to fuse signals from multiple ultrasonic sensors and detect cracks in the reinforced concrete reference structure. In essence, literature [10,11] still belongs to ultrasonic methods which have the disadvantage of inconvenient operation.…”

“…Literature [11] proposes a methodology to fuse signals from multiple ultrasonic sensors and detect cracks in the reinforced concrete reference structure. In essence, literature [10,11] still belongs to ultrasonic methods which have the disadvantage of inconvenient operation.…”

A New Method for Erosion Prediction of 90° Elbow Based on Non-Axisymmetric Ultrasonic-Guided Wave and the PSO–LSSVM Algorithm

“…Fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) has chirp basis decomposition characteristics, suitable for LFM signal filtering [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Some scholars have successfully detected cracks in reinforced concrete using the method of horizontal fusion of CODA waves and multi-ultrasonic sensor signals [ 32 , 33 ]. Inspired by this, we consider arranging multiple sensors on the elbow to receive signals and use machine learning algorithms to establish the internal relationship between the signals and the erosion degree.…”