TY - CONF A1 - Epple, Niklas T1 - Monitoring of bridges with coda waves - first steps towards an imaging strategy N2 - Monitoring of concrete structures is of utmost importance in maintenance and preservation of infrastructure. As a part of the DFG research group CoDA (Concrete Damage Assessment by Coda Waves), the works within this PhD project aim for identification of damage sensitive parameters extracted from ultrasonic measurements obtained with embedded sensors, the determination of environmental (reversible) influences on the signal and the localisation of damaged areas. The main technique used for the detection of changes in the monitored material is the so-called Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI). It uses the later part of the ultrasonic recording for the detection of small changes in the sensed area and the calculation of a relative velocity change. Using this technique we can show that we are able to detect changes in concrete temperature with ultrasound measurements. This enables temperature correction for ultrasound monitoring with embedded sensors. The crucial point for imaging and localisation with coda waves is the calculation of the so-called sensitivity kernels. We propose the application of numerical wave simulations for the kernel calculations instead of the commonly used diffusivity equation. Using finite-difference wave modelling code from our DFG project partners we are able to calculate those Kernels and first results are shown in this presentation. The major task for the second year will be the development and implementation of the inversion algorithm as well as the preparation of validation experiments. T2 - Doktorandenseminar BAM Abt. 8 CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 30.03.2020 KW - Ultrasound KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Numerical modelling KW - Structural health monitoring PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-50624 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Advances in ultrasonic testing and monitoring of concrete structures N2 - Recent years have seen extended use of ultrasonic techniques for concrete infrastructure assessement. They are applied for quality assurance and condition assessement at bridges, power plants, dams and other important objects. However, there are still a couple of significant limitations. They include, but are not limited to depth of penetration, imaging complex structures or early stage detections of distributed damage. The talk will give information on recent research in this area. Specifically, the application of the unique deep penetration system LAUS is shown. Ultrasonic monitoring using embedded transducers to check for subtle and sudden changes in the material is introduced as well. Comments on initiatives for validation, standardization and certification will be given. T2 - 341e Conférence CERES CY - Online meeting DA - 26.10.2020 KW - Concrete KW - Ultrasound KW - Imaging KW - Monitoring PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-51463 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Bühling, Benjamin T1 - Entwicklung eines luftgekoppelten Ultraschall-Echo-Prüfverfahrens mittels fluidischer Anregung N2 - In vielen technischen Bereichen werden Ultraschallverfahren zur zerstörungsfreien Werkstoffprüfung (ZfP) eingesetzt um auf Basis der Signalstärke und der Laufzeit Einbauteile und Beschädigungen zu orten. Luftgekoppelter Ultraschall spielt bisher in kommerziellen Anwendungen vor Allem im Bauwesen eine untergeordnete Rolle, da die Differenz der akustischen Impedanzen von Luft und Festkörpern immense Verluste beim Übergang des Schallsignals hervorruft. Im Rahmen des Promotionsvorhabens soll die Eignung eines neuartigen Anregungsprinzip untersucht werden, mit dem ein Großteil dieser Verluste vermieden werden soll. Anstelle eines Festkörpers soll mit Hilfe einer fluidischen Düse Druckluft zur Signalerzeugung eingesetzt werden. Die Impedanzverluste zwischen Aktuatormembran und Umgebungsluft entfallen daher. Die gezielte Schallerzeugung durch einen pulsierenden Freistrahl ist weitgehend unerforscht. Es ist daher notwendig, den so erzeugten Schallpuls in der Interaktion mit dem transienten Strömungsfeld zu untersuchen. Das kompressible Medium Luft und die geringen räumlichen Dimensionen einer hochfrequenten Pulsdüse werfen darüber hinaus einige Herausforderungen hinsichtlich der eingesetzten Messtechnik auf. Hier sollen geeignete Verfahren weiterentwickelt und validiert werden, um die Eignung des fluidisch erzeugten Pulses zu überprüfen. In diesem Vortrag werden erste Messungen an einem fluidischen Schalter mit denen an einem kommerziellen Luftultraschallprüfkopf verglichen. T2 - Doktorandenseminar BAM Abt. 8 CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 17.02.2020 KW - ZfP KW - Ultraschall KW - NDT KW - Ultrasound KW - Air-coupled KW - Non-Contact KW - Luftgekoppelt KW - Kontaktlos PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-51120 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Bulling, Jannis T1 - A Combination of the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method with the Mortar Method N2 - The simulation of ultrasonic waves in a linearly elastic body can be computationally intensive. The reason is the relatively short wavelength compared to the body size for high frequencies. One possible approach to counteract the high computational costs is to decompose the domain into small parts and strive for parallelization. The Mortar Method is a well-established approach for domain decomposition. A rather new approach to discretize the emerging subdomains is the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method. This semi-analytical method has many attractive properties. Some of these properties are listed subsequently. The grid consists of polygonal elements, which leaves much freedom in the meshing process. A variety of material distributions, including anisotropic materials, can be considered. High-order shape functions can be used for optimal convergence properties. The approach treats singularities at crack tips and corners analytically. Especially in the frequency domain, the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method reduces the dimension of the approximation because only degrees of freedom which are associated with the boundary of a polygonal element are necessary. Those desirable properties make the method particularly suitable for calculating the dynamic responses in bodies with cracks, as it is essential for many non-destructive testing and structural health monitoring applications. In this contribution, we present a combination of the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method with the Mortar Method in two dimensions. The presentation starts with a theoretical overview of both approaches. Subsequently, numerical examples demonstrate the stability of the combination for the polygonal boundary of the elements. The numerical examples increase in complexity and are compared to results computed on non-divided domains with the Finite Element Method. T2 - WCCM-ECCOMAS CONGRESS CY - Online meeting DA - 11.01.2021 KW - Ultrasound KW - Numerical Simulation KW - Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method, Mortar Method PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-52275 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Zeipert, H. T1 - Measurement and simulation of Lamb waves in adhesive-bonded multilayer systems N2 - Lamb waves are a common tool in the field of non-destructive testing and are widely used for material characterisation. Further, the increasing computational capability of modern systems enables the Simulation of complex and detailed material models. This work demonstrates the possibility of simulating an adhesive-bonded multilayer system by characterising each layer individually, and introduces an Approach for determining the dispersive behaviour of acoustic waves in a multilayer system via real measurements. T2 - SMSI 2021 Conference – Sensor and Measurement Science International CY - Online meeting DA - 03.05.2021 KW - Adhesive bonds KW - Lamb waves KW - Elastic constants KW - Non-Destructive Testing KW - Ultrasound PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-52635 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Epple, Niklas T1 - Coda Measurements for monitoring infrastructure durability N2 - Presentation about the advancements in the DFG Research unit CoDA, with focus on Coda Wave Monitoring of Infrastructure. With some case studies, possibilities and challenges are discussed on the way towards infrastructural monitoring with CWI. T2 - PhD-Seminar Department 8.2 CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 07.09.2023 KW - CWI KW - Embedded Sensors KW - Ultrasound KW - Bridge Monitoring PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58196 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hassenstein, Christian T1 - Automated adaptive TFM method for Gas turbine Testing in NDE 4.0 N2 - Nondestructive testing of gas turbine blades is essential for their maintenance and service process which is critical to ensure both safety and efficiency of these highly stressed parts. In this presentation, a novel ultrasonic testing method is explored in order to acquire part thickness information in the turbine blade’s airfoil. In established industry processes, the measurements are mainly carried out manually and only at a few specific positions of the inspected parts. The proposed method scans the part using a robot arm guiding an ultrasonic array sensor. For ultrasonic coupling to the complex-shaped surface geometry, the inspected part and sensor are immersed into water. A two-step TFM[1, 2] (Total Focusing Method) approach is used to reconstruct the outer and inner surfaces subsequently from the ultrasonic raw data, which are acquired using the FMC[3] (Full Matrix Capture) measurement principle. For each sensor position, the location and geometry of the outer surface is first identified and then used to create an image of an area inside the material. From that image, the inner surface is reconstructed. Finally, part thickness information is deducted from merging location data of inner and outer surface. The result is a high resolution, high precision mapping of the inspected part’s wall thickness. T2 - ECNDT 2023 CY - Lisbon, Portugal DA - 03.07.2023 KW - NDE KW - Gasturbines KW - Maintenance KW - Repair KW - Overhaul KW - Ultrasound PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-59584 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Friedrich, Alexander T1 - The AIFRI Project - Artificial Intelligence For Rail Inspection N2 - The rails of modern railways face an enormous wear and tear from ever increasing train speeds and loads. This necessitates diligent non-destructive testing for defects of the entire railway system. Non-destructive testing of rail tracks is carried out by rail inspection trains equipped with ultrasonic and eddy current test devices. However, the evaluation of the gathered data is mainly done manually with a strong focus on ultrasonic data, and defects are checked on-site using hand-held testing equipment. Maintenance measures are derived based on these on-site findings. The aim of the AIFRI project (Artificial Intelligence For Rail Inspection) is to - increase the degree of automation of the inspection process, from the evaluation of the data to the planning of maintenance measures, - increase the accuracy of defect detection, - automatically classify detected indications into risk classes. These aims will be achieved by training a neural network for defect detection and classification. Since the current testing data is unbalanced, insufficiently labeled and largely unverified we will supplement fused, simulated eddy current and ultrasonic testing data in form of a configurable digital twin. T2 - PostDoc Day 2022 CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 03.11.2022 KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Artificial intelligence KW - Simulation KW - Eddy current KW - Ultrasound PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-57240 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Heckel, Thomas T1 - New Approaches for Mechanized Rail Testing N2 - The changes in the use and maintenance of track systems poses new challenges for the periodic mechanized in-service testing of rails using ultrasound and eddy current. The methods currently applied have been used since decades with only minor changes. To face the new challenges generated by modern drive systems, higher speeds, heavier loads adapted techniques have to be developed to detect new defect types and artefacts generated by new production methods. Especially the area where rolling contact fatigue takes place is under focus. Going beyond the standard conventional ultrasound setups used since the 1950 enables a more detailed detection and classification of rail defects and size estimation. Eddy current methods are applied for surface crack detection and head check depth quantification at the gauge corner of railway tracks. An extension of the tested zone to the running surface uncloses rail defect signal types other than head checks to be detected and estimated in type and size. For the automated evaluation of the recorded data algorithms based on artificial intelligence being trained based on simulation will be applied. Typically, the testing parameter vary depending on the track condition and the probe wear. To identify variables and parameters which have a significant influence on the overall performance of the test run modelling of the setup can be used. Actual developments will be presented in this talk T2 - WCNDT 2024 CY - Incheom, Korea DA - 27.05.2024 KW - Railway KW - Ultrasound KW - Simulation KW - Eddy current KW - Artificial intelligence PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61033 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Strangfeld, Christoph T1 - Adaption of fluidic devices for SHM of hydrogen tanks N2 - Frequency analysis of the tank during every filling Passive actuator is integrated inside filling nozzle/ pressure vessel Frequency from 5 kHz to 150 kHz Frequency sweep (Chirp) can be performed Works with every fluid: air, hydrogen, oxygen, argon, water. T2 - H2Safety Kompetenzzentrum CY - BAM Berlin, Germany DA - 07.07.2021 KW - Fluidic device KW - Structural health monitoring KW - Hydrogen tank KW - Ultrasound PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-52930 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Lozano Duarte, Daniel Hernando T1 - Octree Meshes for Ultrasonic Guided Waves: Mortar coupling combined with the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method in Prismatic Structures N2 - Ultrasonic guided waves interacting with complex geometrical features are of high interest in the SHM field. For example, investigations into the extent to which a small change in defect geometry affects wave propagation have applications in Probability of Detection and defect reconstruction. These fields have to be supported by numerical tools aiming to retrieve accurate and reliable results and, thus, more realistic modeling. Due to the short wavelengths of ultrasonic waves and the relatively large domains in which the waves propagate, fine grid resolution for the entire domain is usually not possible due to limited computational resources. One solution is to partition the domain into different subdomains and use a specific, efficient approach for each subdomain. This contribution shows a combination of methods that aims to study these wave defect interactions in an elastic media. Firstly we introduce high-order 3D meshes that can resolve very fine geometrical details and are based on an Octree discretisation technique that employs special transition shape functions to resolve the hanging nodes that may appear due to the nature of the method. Afterward, the Octree mesh is embedded in a prismatic wave-guide based on the semi-analytical formulation of the SBFEM in 3D. To couple the different domains, we employ the mortar method, which enforces the continuity of the wave field across the internal boundaries of the domains. Examples show the power of the approach especially when it comes to parametric analysis. T2 - YIC23 CY - Porto, Portugal DA - 19.06.2023 KW - Octrees KW - Sbfem KW - Ultrasound KW - Mortar method PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-59662 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Lay, Vera T1 - Ultrasonic quality assurance for underground salt shotcrete sealing structures in Teutschenthal mine, Germany N2 - Underground sealing structures are necessary to seal radioactive or toxic waste in underground repositories. Particularly developed MgO concrete is used in the mine in Teutschenthal and applied at a large-scale test with the aim to provide concrete with low permeabilities. The test structures (up to 10 m long) were created with the help of a shotcrete procedure. Besides destructive tests, non-destructive ultrasonic measurements are used for quality assurance to monitor potential anomalies such as cracks, concrete inhomogeneities, and delamination. We show results of ultrasonic measurements with a multi-transducer system used at the front site of the concrete structure. Images are obtained by synthetic aperture focusing techniques. Concreting sections are not systematically imaged so that a successful concreting is assumed as also indicated by observed low permeabilities. Several reflectors up to a depth of 1.2 m are identified and interpreted as potential damages in the concrete. Phase analysis of prominent reflectors reveal a negative impedance contrast thus indicating air filled voids, cracks or delamination. Boreholes through some of the identified reflectors are used to verify the results from ultrasonic measurements. Additionally, an experiment with incorporated defects is undertaken to analyse the reliability of the applied methods. Overall, the conducted tests show the great potential of ultrasonic measurements to detect critical anomalies. Despite challenges at small-scale structures (cm-order), large-scale anomalies can be identified. Implementing ultrasonic monitoring during and after the construction of concrete sealing structures is recommended as a tool for quality assurance. T2 - NDT-CE 2022 CY - Zurich, Switzerland DA - 16.08.2022 KW - Ultrasound KW - Ultrasonic imaging KW - Magnesia shotcrete KW - Underground KW - Engineered barrier systems PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-55825 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Current Trends in SHM of German Prestressed Concrete Road bridges N2 - Due to increasing ageing, deterioration and loading , several prestressed concrete bridges bulit in the 1950ies and 1960ies need monitoring. Recently several bridges have sucesssfully equipped with acoustic emission sensing system. BAM works together with several universities on an add onn: Active ultrasonic monitoring combined with coda wave interferometry will help to detect subtle changes and precursors fo failure earlier than other methods. T2 - TRB 100th Annual Meeting, Subcommittee AKT40(3) CY - Online meeting DA - 05.01.2021 KW - Bridges KW - Monitoring KW - Acoustic emission KW - Ultrasound KW - Coda wave interferometry PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-51972 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Ultrasonic coda wave monitoring of concrete structures: First experiences with large-scale experiments and real structures N2 - Ultrasonic monitoring, making use of the sensitivity of the coda of repeated transmission meas-urements to changes in stress, temperature, moisture, as well as localized or distributed damage, has gotten at-tention in structural health monitoring (SHM) research recently. Analysis methods such as coda wave inter-ferometry (CWI), including its nonlinear extension, have been shown to be able to measure ultrasonic wave velocity changes with a 1∙10-5 resolution, while indicators such as cross-correlation or cross-coherence have been used to distinguish between reversible and irreversible changes. Several small- and large-scale laboratory experiments have demonstrated that stress changes in structures can be captured or damage detected in a very early stage. The use of this technique for pre-warning before failure are currently under investigation, as well as detailed research on the physical causes and the connection between ultrasonic wave properties and materi-al/structural behavior. Recently, several of large-scale laboratory and real structures have been instrumented with embedded ultrasonic transducers to gather experience and evidence on how to use this technology in re-al-world applications. Preliminary results from installations on a new bridge, an existing bridge, a tunnel, a la-boratory earthquake test as well as a historic stadium in Germany, Poland, and the United States, respectively, are presented. Environmental influences (mainly temperature) and validation by load tests are discussed. T2 - IABMAS 2020 CY - Online meeting DA - 11.04.2021 KW - Ultrasound KW - Monitoring KW - Coda wave interferometry KW - Concrete KW - Bridges PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-54167 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Lay, Vera T1 - SealWasteSafe: materials technology, monitoring techniques, and quality assurance for safe sealing structures in underground repositories N2 - Within the project SealWasteSafe, we advance construction materials and monitoring concepts of sealing structures applied for underground disposal of nuclear or toxic waste. As these engineered barriers have high demands concerning integrity, an innovative alkali-activated material (AAM) is improved and tested on various laboratory scales. This AAM has low reaction kinetics related to a preferential slow release of the heat of reaction in comparison to alternative salt concretes based on Portland cement or magnesium oxychloride cements. Hence, crack formation due to thermally induced strain is reduced. After successful laboratory scale analysis (Sturm et al., 2021), the AAM is characterised on a larger scale by manufacturing test specimens (100–300 L). Conventional salt concrete (DBE, 2004) and the newly developed AAM are compared using two specimen geometries, i.e. cylindrical and cuboid. A comprehensive multisensor monitoring scheme is developed to compare the setting process of AAM and salt concrete for these manufactured specimens. The analysed parameters include temperature and humidity of the material, acoustic emissions, and strain variations. Passive sensor systems based on radiofrequency identification technology (RFID) embedded in the concrete, enable wireless access to temperature and humidity measurements and are compared to conventional cabled systems. Additionally, fibre-optic sensors (FOS) are embedded to record strain, but also have potential to record temperature and moisture conditions. Part of this project aims at demonstrating the high reliability of sensors and also their resistance to highly alkaline environments and to water intrusion along cables or at sensor locations. Further technical improvements were implemented so that first results clearly show the scalability of the setting process from previous small-scale AAM experiments and particularly the high potential of the newly developed approaches. Furthermore, ultrasonic methods are used for quality assurance to detect obstacles, potential cracks and delamination. On the one hand, both active and passive ultrasonic measurements complement the results obtained from the multisensor monitoring scheme for the produced specimens. On the other hand, the unique large aperture ultrasonic system (LAUS) provides great depth penetration (up to nearly 10 m) and can thus be applied at in situ sealing structures built as a test site in Morsleben by the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung, BGE) as shown by Effner et al. (2021). An optimised field lay-out identified from forward modelling studies and advanced imaging techniques applied to the measured data will further improve the obtained results. To characterise the inside of the test engineered barrier and achieve a proof-of-concept, an ultrasonic borehole probe is developed to enable phased arrays that can further improve the detection of potential cracks. Modelling results and first analysis of semispherical specimens confirmed the reliability of the directional response caused by the phased arrays of the newly constructed ultrasonic borehole probe. Overall, the project SealWasteSafe improves the construction material, multisensor monitoring concepts and ultrasonics for quality assurance. This will help to develop safe sealing structures for nuclear waste disposal. The outcomes are particularly valuable for salt as a host rock but partly also transferrable to alternative conditions. T2 - Safe ND Interdisciplinary research symposium on the safety of nuclear disposal practices CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 10.11.2021 KW - Borehole probe KW - SealWasteSafe KW - Engineered barrier KW - Materials technology KW - AAM KW - Monitoring KW - Ultrasound PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-53919 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Lay, Vera T1 - Material research and multi-sensory monitoring for concrete sealing structure in rock salt underground repositories N2 - Within the project SealWasteSafe, we advance construction materials and non-destructive monitoring concepts of sealing structures applied for underground disposal of nuclear waste. As these engineered barriers have high demands regarding structural integrity, an innovative alkali-activated material (AAM) that is highly suitable for the application in salt as a host rock is improved and tested on two laboratory scales. This AAM has a low heat evolution due to the reaction mechanism in comparison to common salt concretes based on Portland cement or magnesium oxychloride binders. Hence, crack formation due to thermally induced stress during the hardening process is reduced. After successful laboratory tests with small specimens (height ~5 cm), comparably manufactured large cubic (edge length 70 cm) and cylindrical specimens (height 120 cm, diameter 40 cm) are equipped with sensing technologies to demonstrate the sensors´ technical capabilities. A comprehensive multi-sensory monitoring scheme is developed and investigated to characterize and compare the different material behaviour during the setting and hardening process of two materials: (1) the newly developed AAM-based mortars with salt aggregate, and (2) a blended Portland cement-based salt concrete as reference. The analysed parameters include temperature and humidity of the material, acoustic emissions, and strain variations recorded by fiber optic cables. Passive sensor systems based on radiofrequency identification technology (RFID) embedded in the concrete provide an interface for the wireless readout of various sensors. In parallel to the embedded RFID sensors, conventional cabled systems to read out the temperature and humidity measurements are installed for comparison. Additionally, a detailed inspection of the two large cubic specimens after a monitoring period of more than six months has been undertaken. Active thermography and ultrasonic echo measurements are used to reveal potentially occurring inner cracks from the surface. To verify the non-invasive results, a core sample (diameter 2 cm) was extracted from each of the investigated cubic specimens and analysed in detail with X-ray computed tomography. Furthermore, ultrasonic methods are used for quality assurance to detect obstacles, cracks, and delamination at in-situ scale sealing structures. Experimental layout and applied imaging techniques are optimised to enhance the image quality for measurements from the front side of the engineered barrier. To characterize the inside of the test sealing structure and to improve the detection of potentially existing cracks, an ultrasonic borehole probe using the phased array technique is developed. First analyses at a half-spherical specimen coincide with modelling results and prove the reliability of the directional response caused by the phased array technique of the newly constructed ultrasonic borehole probe. Overall, the project SealWasteSafe helps to characterize construction materials and improves multi-sensory monitoring concepts and ultrasonic equipment for the sake of quality assurance. Particularly for salt as a host rock, this will help to design safe sealing structures for nuclear waste disposal. T2 - EGU General Assembly 2023 CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 23.04.2023 KW - SealWasteSafe KW - Engineered barriers KW - Salt concrete KW - Quality assurance KW - Ultrasound KW - CT KW - Thermography PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-11582 AN - OPUS4-57500 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - NDT CE from simple detectors to deep insight and quantitative structural assessment N2 - Non-destructive testing methods are available in civil engineering for decades to estimate concrete properties or to detect flaws and features. But recently we have seen the dawn of next-generation tools, methods, and applications. Some of them will be discussed in the web talk: – Better tools: deeper and more detailed insight into concrete constructions – Better methods: Quantitative use in probabilistic structural assessment – Better rules: Towards standardization, qualification, and certification – Better application: Digitalization and Elimination of the boundaries between NDT, SHM, and BIM: NDT-CE 4.0 Not enough? I might show, how cosmic rays might become a game-changer in NDT-CE. This live webinar record was provided by https://eurostruct.org T2 - Eurostruct Live Talk CY - Online meeting DA - 12.05.2021 KW - NDT-CE KW - Concrete KW - Ultrasound KW - Muons PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-54158 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Acoustic emission and ultrasonic monitoring of a prestressed concrete bridge in its final years N2 - Many European bridges built in the 1950s, 60s and 70s must be re-placed in the next decade due to structural deficiencies, insufficient load capacity or other issues. However, the existing bridges must be used for another couple of years even if flaws and damages already have been detected. In Germany, several prestressed concrete bridges have been instrumented with acoustic emission detection systems to detect wire breaks and to provide early warning signs before failure. To evaluate and interpret the consequences of wire breaks additional instrumentation and accompanying measures as finite element modeling are required. At a bridge in southern Germany we have complemented such a system with active ultrasonic monitoring. Repeated ultrasonic measurements are evaluated with a very sensible algorithm called coda wave interferometry. This method, inspired by seismology, has been shown to deliver early warning signs in lab experiments. Large volumes of concrete can be monitored with a limited network of ultrasonic transducers. We will report on the installation, capabilities, and lim-itations as well as first results. T2 - 1st Conference of the European Association on Quality Control of Bridges and Structures (Eurostruct) CY - Padua, Italy DA - 29.08.2021 KW - Bridge KW - Concrete KW - Acoustic emission KW - Ultrasound KW - Monitoring PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-54160 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Introduction to BAM and ultrasonics (and GPR) in civil engineering N2 - This presentation gives anoverview about BAM, its department 8 and in particular its division 8.2 "NDT methods for civil engineering". The focus is on methods and applications with a geoscientific context, such as methods adopted from geophysics or NDT method applied in a geological environment. T2 - GTK (Geological Survey of Finland) Semninar CY - Espoo, Finland DA - 20.01.2023 KW - NDT KW - Ultrasound KW - Radar KW - Geophysics KW - Concrete PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-56911 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Epple, Niklas T1 - Accounting for Long Term Environmental Influences on Ultrasonic Monitoring Measurements of Reinforced Concrete Constructions with Embedded Transducers N2 - Ultrasound measurements in concrete are a well-known technique in civil engineering and non-destructive testing. For consistent monitoring of a concrete structure, the common techniques, using external sensors can often not provide the appropriate degree of repeatability, as the surface of structures changes, and comparable coupling conditions cannot be guaranteed when a measurement is repeated after some time. By embedding ultrasound transducers in concrete, we aim to develop a strategy for long-term monitoring of infrastructure, especially bridges, as a supplement and extension to other techniques. Applying the so-called coda wave interferometry to these measurements we can detect subtle changes in the medium far beyond the resolution limit of traditional time of flight methods. A smart sensor layout enables cost-efficient sensing of the entire area of interest. Embedding the transducers might remove uncertainties like coupling or positioning changes, while other challenges remain. Temperature and moisture content influence the structure and the transducers. These drifts need to be recorded and removed and good coupling must be ensured while not being able to visually inspect the sensor. In a multidisciplinary research group funded by the German Research Foundation, we aim to solve these problems on the way towards an ultrasound monitoring system for reinforced concrete structures. In various experiments in the lab and field, we determine the influence of temperature variations on the measurements and the equipment. As the monitoring task is the detection of irreversible damages - not reversible changes - a smart system requires a smart way of discrimination between permanent damages and reversible changes. With the data collected in these experiments, we present an approach to an environmental correction to ultrasound data to avoid a misinterpretation of these environmental changes as damage indicators. T2 - 10th International Conference on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure CY - Porto, Portugal DA - 30.06.2021 KW - Coda Wave Interferometry KW - Embedded sensors KW - Long-term monitoring KW - Ultrasound KW - Temperature Influence PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-53404 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Epple, Niklas T1 - Coda Wave Interferometry for Monitoring Bridges with Embedded Ultrasonic Transducers – Lessons Learned at the Gänstorbrücke Bridge Ulm, Germany N2 - Ultrasonic Coda Wave interferometry has the potential to detect minute changes in scattering materials like concrete. By permanently installing ultrasonic transducers in concrete, DFG Research unit CoDA aims to develop methods for concrete damage assessment in Germany's aging infrastructure. To test the methods developed in simulations and laboratory experiments on a large scale, we have implemented several ultrasonic transducers at the Gänstorbrücke Ulm, one of Germany's most monitored road bridges. Since fall 2020 we are monitoring parts of the center of the Bridge, as well as an abutment, and compare the results to the commercial monitoring system. All data is recorded with a self-made data collection device, the so-called W-Box, and analyzed with different coda wave-based algorithms to detect signal and volumetric velocity changes. The long-term measurements show that the influence of temperature changes on strains and therefore ultrasound velocity changes calculated with coda waves can be monitored. The capabilities and limitations of the coda wave-based monitoring system are tested in a controlled experiment. Static loading using a truck with varying loads at several positions allows the calibration of the system to improve the detectability of possibly damaging loads and changes induced by this loading. A map of velocity change analyzing data from this load experiment shows that the influence of load on the material and strain distribution can be detected with array measurements. T2 - NDT-CE 2022 - The International Symposium on Nondestructive Testing in Civil Engineering CY - Zurich, Switzerland DA - 16.08.2022 KW - Coda Wave Interferometry KW - Ultrasound KW - Embedded sensors KW - Bridge Monitoring KW - Load Experiment PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-56454 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Elastic Reverse Time Migration for Improved Ultrasonic Imaging of Concrete Constructions N2 - The ageing concrete infrastructure worldwide requires a thorough inspection and assessment. The traditional visual and tap testing methods required by many national and international standard have been meanwhile amended by more sophisticated tools like ultrasonic or radar echo technologies. While they can provide a much more detailed image of the interiors of concrete constructions, there are still several unsolved testing tasks on the wish list, such as the reliable sizing of internal objects, e.g. tendon ducts. Reverse Time Migration (RTM) is an imaging technique which is in use in the oil and gas industry for the exploration of new resources with seismic waves as a standard tool. Since about ten years there has been R&D effort to use RTM for imaging of ultrasonic echo data. As it uses the entire wavefield, RTM has some advantages compared to traditional SAFT, e.g. the ability to image vertical structures or the backside of objects. However, this comes with the cost of having to perform full wavefield simulations. We have adopted, improved, and used open source 2D full elastic codes (P/SV waves and SH waves) from geophysics to evaluate the capabilities and limitations of RTM for the imaging of certain features in concrete constructions. We can show the advantages of SH-wave RTM in comparison to SAFT, acoustic RTM and P/SV-based RTM. The findings are demonstrated based on simulated and real data, using a reference test specimen available at BAM. Position and diameter of tendon ducts have been determined with a sub-cm accuracy. T2 - ISNT NDE 2024 CY - Chennai, India DA - 12.12.2024 KW - NDT-CE KW - Ultrasound KW - Imaging KW - Reverse Time Migration KW - Concrete KW - RTM PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-62203 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - ridge Monitoring by Ultrasonic Coda Wave Interferometry N2 - The built infrastructure ages and requires regular inspection and, when in doubt, monitoring. To ensure that older concrete bridges showing signs of deterioration can be used safely, several innovative monitoring tools have been introduced, including but not limited to optical, fiber-optic, or acoustic emission techniques. However, there are gaps in the portfolio. A sensing technique that covers a wide range of damage scenarios and larger volumes, while still being sensitive and specific, would be beneficial. For about 15 years, research has been conducted on ultrasonic monitoring of concrete structures that goes beyond the traditional ultrasonic pulse velocity test (PV test), mostly using a very sensitive data evaluation technique called coda wave interferometry. At BAM we have developed sensors and instrumentation specifically for this method. We have instrumented a 70-year-old, severely damaged prestressed concrete bridge in Germany in addition to a commercial monitoring system. We have now collected data for almost 3 years. We can show that we can provide information about the stress distribution in the bridge. We have also been able to confirm that there has been no significant additional damage to the bridge since the installation. T2 - ISNT NDE 2023 CY - Pune, India DA - 07.12.2023 KW - Coda wave interferometry KW - Structural health monitoring KW - Ultrasound KW - Concrete KW - Bridges PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-59346 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Lay, Vera T1 - Potential of 3D matrix ultrasonic measurements to image complex concrete structures N2 - Ultrasonic echo testing is a well-established non-destructive testing technique used to investigate the interior of concrete structures in civil engineering. For the reconstruction of internal features, methods similar to seismic imaging are applied. To improve the ultrasonic imaging capabilities, we investigate the potential of a newly available 3D matrix mode measurement device in combination with advanced imaging techniques. Commonly used ultrasonic array measurement devices rely on several ultrasonic transducers coupled to act as one transducer that transmits or receives transversal ultrasound waves. Although this approach is well suited to detect elongated structures such as pipes and rebars, it has limitations if 3D embedded objects are present. Hence, the ultrasonic device MiraA1040Pro used here is designed to measure the ultrasonic wavefield on a 4 by 16 matrix of individual transducers. For testing, we used laboratory specimens with linear and spheric embedded structures first. Both linear and matrix mode measurements were conducted and analysed using the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT) which is similar to Kirchhoff migration. Second, we used a data set from Teutschenthal mine at a shotcrete specimen constructed to simulate engineered barriers tailored for nuclear waste repositories. Ultrasonic measurements were investigated as a tool for quality assurance of these structures. The specimen contains both artificial 3D artifacts as well as naturally occurring defects such as a delamination. To make use of the advanced data acquisition, focusing 3D imaging techniques are applied to further improve the imaging quality. Generally, the reconstructed images from the 3D matrix mode data have a lower level of Signal-to-Noise-Ratio than the 2D linear mode because the source signal is weaker compared to the linear mode. Moreover, complex wave conversions of the SH-transversal wave occur that are reduced in the 2D linear scenario. However, clearer images can be achieved at non-linear features, particularly with focusing imaging methods. Thus, combining 3D data acquisition techniques with advanced imaging methods improves the success in imaging complex concrete structures. This is of particular interest for thick concrete structures in nuclear barrier systems or foundations. Additionally, we demonstrate opportunities to use well-constrained test laboratory scenarios from non-destructive testing as a practical test case for geophysical methods. T2 - Jahrestagung der Deutschen Geophysikalischen Gesellschaft (DGG) CY - Jena, Germany DA - 11.03.2024 KW - Ultrasound KW - Imaging KW - Quality assurance PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-59729 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Epple, Niklas T1 - Monitoring of a German Road Bridge Using Embedded Ultrasonic Transducers and Coda Waves N2 - The ‘G¨anstorbr¨ucke’ bridge between the cities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm is one of the best-monitored bridges all over Germany. In addition to an already active bride monitoring system, we have equipped the bridge with 30 ultrasonic transducers to explore the monitoring possibilities at an in-service large-scale reinforced concrete structure with continuous active ultrasonic measurements. The monitoring system is based on the detection of small changes in the entire signal, especially the multiply scattered parts of the recording, the so-called coda. Applying Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI), subtle changes in the signal can be detected and related to changing velocities in the area between source and receiver. A comparison of the results from coda wave interferometry with the strain measurements of the permanent monitoring system shows a correlation between strain measurements and CWI results. We discuss the challenges of changing environmental conditions, pose for interpretation of the results, and highlight the advantages of embedded versus externally attached ultrasonic transducers in permanent bridge monitoring, especially when coda wave interferometry is applied. T2 - EWSHM 2022 CY - Palermo, Italy DA - 04.07.2022 KW - Bridge monitoring KW - Ultrasound KW - Embedded sensors KW - Coda wave interferometry PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-55383 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Emerging technologies for non destructive testing and monitoring of concrete structures in nuclear facilities N2 - For a long time, practical application of non-destructive testing in civil engineering has been limited on simple (but useful) methods such as rebound hammers, ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements, rebar detectors or potential mapping. Since the late 1990ies new methods and devices have been developed for geometry and damage detection, including radar and ultrasonic echo array techniques which brought progress in condition assessment of buildings and infrastructure assets. However, there are still gaps, especially for massive concrete structures used in nuclear facilities, including lack of penetration depth, resolution, or translation of NDT parameters to engineering properties. Recent research tries to fill these gaps. Currently, new ultrasonic devices with greater penetration depth and better resolution depth are developed, including imaging methods revealing greater details of the interior of concrete constructions. Ultrasonic technologies are also extended to nonlinear methods providing baseline free damage assessment and monitoring capabilities. Another example of a technique with a huge potential for concrete constructions is muon tomography, where first field experiments are underway. A review of the potential and limitations of these methods will be given in the presentation. T2 - IAEA ICARST 2025 CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 07.04.2025 KW - NDT-CE KW - Ultrasound KW - Muography KW - Concrete KW - Emerging PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63003 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -