TY - JOUR A1 - Büttner, C. A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Buske, S. A1 - Friedrich, C. T1 - Ultrasonic Echo Localization Using Seismic Migration Techniques in Engineered Barriers for NuclearWaste Storage N2 - In the framework of non-destructive-testing advanced seismic imaging techniques have been applied to ultrasonic echo data in order to examine the integrity of an engineered test-barrier designed to be used for sealing an underground nuclear waste disposal site. Synthetic data as well as real multi-receiver ultrasonic data acquired at the test site were processed and imaged using Kirchhoff prestack depth migration reverse time migration (RTM). In general, both methods provide a good Image quality as demonstrated by various case studies, however deeper parts within the test barrier containing inclined reflectors were reconstructed more accurately by RTM. In particular, the image quality of a specific target reflector at a depth of 8 m in the test-barrier has been significantly improved compared to previous investigations using synthetic aperture Focusing technique, which justifies the considerable computing time of this method. KW - Radioactive waste disposal KW - Engineered barrier KW - Ultrasound KW - Imaging KW - Crack detection PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-537956 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10921-021-00824-3 SN - 0195-9298 VL - 40 IS - 4 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Springer AN - OPUS4-53795 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zhang, T. A1 - Sens-Schönfelder, C. A1 - Epple, Niklas A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Imaging of Small-Scale Heterogeneity and Absorption Using Adjoint Envelope Tomography: Results From Laboratory Experiments N2 - To complement the information provided by deterministic seismic imaging at length scales above a certain resolution limit we present the first application of adjoint envelope tomography (AET) to experimental data. AET uses the full envelopes of seismic records including scattered coda waves to obtain information about the distribution of absorption and small-scale heterogeneity which provide complementary information about the investigated medium. Being below the resolution limit this small-scale structure cannot be resolved by conventional tomography but still affects wave propagation by attenuating ballistic waves and generating scattered waves. Using ultrasound data from embedded sensors in a meter-sized concrete specimen we image the distribution of absorption and heterogeneity expressed by the intrinsic quality factor Q−1 and the fluctuation strength ɛ that characterizes the strength of the heterogeneity. The forward problem is solved by modeling the 2-D multiple nonisotropic scattering in an acoustic medium with spatially variable heterogeneity and attenuation using the Monte-Carlo method. Gradients for the model updates are obtained by convolution with the back-propagated envelope misfit using the adjoint formalism in analogy to full waveform inversion. We use a late coda time window to invert for absorption and an earlier time window to infer the distribution of heterogeneity. The results successfully locate an area of salt oncrete with increased scattering and concentric anomalies of intrinsic attenuation. The resolution test shows that the recovered anomalies constitute reasonable representations of internal structure of the specimen. KW - Ultrasound KW - Scattering KW - Tomography KW - Concrete KW - Heterogeneity PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-563163 DO - https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JB024972 SN - 2169-9313 VL - 127 IS - 11 SP - 1 EP - 21 PB - American Geophysical Union AN - OPUS4-56316 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Epple, Niklas A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Fontoura Barroso, Daniel 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 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-564531 SP - 1 EP - 8 AN - OPUS4-56453 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rabe, U. A1 - Pudovikov, S. A1 - Herrmann, H.-G. A1 - Wiggenhauser, H. A1 - Prabhakara, Prathik A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Evaluation of retroreflective corner echo for detection of surface breaking cracks in concrete by ultrasound N2 - The retroreflective corner echo is used, for example, in ultrasonic non-destructive testing of metals to find fatigue cracks in tubes or shafts. If the much weaker crack tip signal is additionally detected, the crack length can also be determined. A corner reflection occurs in cases of surface breaking cracks with predominantly perpendicular orientation to the surface. The intensity of the corner reflection depends on the angle of incidence and on the ultrasonic wave mode used. For the reliable detection of vertical surface breaking cracks in metals, transversal waves are commonly used, which propagate at an angle of 37° to 53° to the inspection surface. As shown in this contribution, the wide spread low frequency ultrasonic arrays with dry point contact sources available for ultrasonic testing of concrete also allow to receive corner echoes. These devices generate transversal waves in concrete structures with a large divergence of the sound field. A series of experiments was carried out with such dry point contact arrays on concrete specimens with artificial test defects and controlled induced cracks of different depths. The ultrasonic time-of-flight signals were recorded, exported and reconstructed utilising the SAFT (Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique) algorithm. The SAFT reconstruction parameters were adjusted to visualize the corner echo indication. As will be shown, with this targeted processing, the reproducible detection of surface breaking cracks in concrete is possible. The retroreflective corner echo can thus be exploited in civil engineering for non-destructive inspection of concrete. T2 - NDT-CE 2022 CY - Zurich, Switzerland DA - 16.08.2022 KW - Concrete KW - Crack depth KW - Ultrasound KW - SAFT PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-563365 UR - https://www.ndt.net/article/ndtce2022/paper/27256_manuscript.pdf IS - 27256 SP - 1 EP - 4 PB - NDT.net AN - OPUS4-56336 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Landis, E. A1 - Hassefras, Emiel A1 - Oesch, Tyler A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - A Microstructural Basis for Diffuse Ultrasound in Concrete N2 - Attenuation of ultrasonic signals in concrete has the potential to carry much information about the microstructure of the material. In this work a series of concrete specimens of varying porosities and pore size distributions were internally imaged with x-ray computed tomography (CT), and then subsequently examined with throughtransmission ultrasound. The CT images were used to quantify both capillary porosity of cement paste as well as internal interfaces that are likely to produce elastic wave scattering. Ultrasound signals were represented as a diffusion process such that absorption and scattering attenuation could be isolated. As implemented, the diffusion model was a poor predictor of capillary porosity, while diffusivity was a reasonable predictor of scattering interfaces. Diffusivity was found to scale extremely well with small scale porosity, which made it a good predictor of compressive strength. T2 - NDT-CE 2022 CY - Zurich, Switzerland DA - 16.08.2022 KW - Concrete KW - X-ray tomography KW - Ultrasound PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-563371 UR - https://www.ndt.net/article/ndtce2022/paper/61592_manuscript.pdf SP - 1 EP - 4 PB - NDT.net AN - OPUS4-56337 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Grohmann, Maria A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Buske, S. A1 - Büttner, C. T1 - Application of Elastic P-SV Reverse Time Migration to Synthetic Ultrasonic Echo Data from Concrete Members N2 - The ultrasonic echo technique is frequently used in non-destructive testing (NDT) of concrete structures for thickness measurements, geometry determinations as well as localization of built-in components. To improve ultrasonic imaging of complex structures in concrete, we transferred a geophysical imaging technique, the reverse time migration (RTM), to NDT in civil engineering. In contrast to the conventionally used synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) algorithms, RTM is a wavefield continuation method in time and uses the full wave equation. Thus, RTM can handle complicated wave propagations in any direction without dip limitation. In this paper, we focused on the application and evaluation of a two-dimensional (2D) elastic RTM algorithm considering compressional waves, vertically polarized shear waves, and Rayleigh waves. We tested the elastic RTM routine on synthetic ultrasonic echo data generated with a 2D concrete model consisting of several steps and circular air inclusions. As these complex structures can often be found in real-world NDT use cases, their imaging is especially important. By using elastic RTM, we were able to clearly reproduce vertical reflectors and lower edges of circular air voids inside our numerical concrete model. Such structures cannot be imaged with conventional SAFT algorithms. Furthermore, the used elastic RTM approach also yielded a better reconstruction of a horizontal reflector and upper boundaries of circular air inclusions. Our encouraging results demonstrate that elastic RTM has the potential to significantly improve the imaging of complex concrete structures and, thus, is a step forward for detailed, high-quality ultrasonic NDT in civil engineering. KW - Concrete KW - Ultrasound KW - Imaging KW - Reverse time migration KW - Elastic PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-580680 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10921-023-00962-w SN - 0195-9298 VL - 42 IS - 3 SP - 1 EP - 18 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-58068 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rabe, U. A1 - Pudovikov, S. A1 - Herrmann, H.-G. A1 - Wiggenhauser, H. A1 - Prabhakara, Prathik A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Using the Corner Reflection for Depth Evaluation of Surface Breaking Cracks in Concrete by Ultrasound N2 - The corner echo is a well-known effect in ultrasonic testing, which allows detection of surface breaking cracks with predominantly perpendicular orientation to the surface as, for example, corrosion cracks in metal pipes or shafts. This echo is formed by two planes, the surface of the crack and the surface which the crack breaks. It can also be classified as a half-skip method, since a reflection of the pulse occurs on the backwall before the reflection at the defect takes place. In combination with the diffraction from the crack tip, the corner echo also allows crack sizing. As shown in this paper, the corner reflection can be used in civil engineering for nondestructive inspection of concrete. Commercially available low frequency ultrasonic arrays with dry point contact sources generate SH transversal waves with sufficient divergence of the sound field in order to detect corner reflections. Ultrasonic line-scans and area-scans were acquired with a linear array on flat concrete specimens, and the data were reconstructed by the Synthetic aperture focusing technique. If the angles and the area of reconstruction are chosen accordingly, the corner echo reflection can be distinguished from other ultrasonic information. The corner echo can thus be used as a method for deciding whether a crack is a partial-depth crack or a full-depth crack and thus for obtaining a statement about crack depth. This paper presents corresponding experimental results obtained on concrete specimens with artificial test defects and cracks induced under controlled conditions. KW - Ultrasound KW - Crack depth KW - Concrete KW - Corner echo PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-574631 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10921-023-00956-8 SN - 0195-9298 VL - 42 IS - 2 SP - 1 EP - 19 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-57463 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lay, Vera A1 - Effner, Ute A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Arendt, J. A1 - Hofmann, M. A1 - Kudla, W. T1 - Ultrasonic quality assurance at magnesia shotcrete sealing structures N2 - Engineered barriers are a key element to enable safe nuclear waste disposal. One method currently under research for their construction is magnesia concrete applied in a shotcrete procedure. In this study, the ultrasonic echo method is evaluated as a means for quality assurance. Imaging of internal structures (backwall, boreholes) and defects, such as delamination, has successfully been achieved in the shotcrete. Additionally, detailed information about the potential cause of selected reflectors are obtained by phase analysis. In several test blocks of various sizes, no consistent concrete section boundaries have been found by ultrasonic imaging, which was verified by subsequent drilling and complementary tests. An experiment with artificial defects imitating cracks, air-filled voids, and material with lower density has been challenging and shows the limitations of the current methods. Although significant defects, such as a large delamination, are reliably identified, several smaller defects are not identified. Generally, ultrasonic imaging provides a suitable base as a mean for quality assurance during and after the construction of sealing structures. However, further developments are required to enhance the reliability of the method and a full validation is still pending. Still, the method has potential to increase the safety of nuclear waste repositories. KW - Ultrasound KW - Imaging KW - Engineered barrier systems KW - Underground KW - Shotcrete PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-563170 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/s22228717 SN - 1424-8220 VL - 22 IS - 22 SP - 1 EP - 16 PB - MDPI CY - Basel AN - OPUS4-56317 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schumacher, T. A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Combining Passive and Active Ultrasonic Stress Wave Monitoring Techniques: Opportunities for Condition Evaluation of Concrete Structures N2 - Concrete structures are invaluable assets to a society and managing them efficiently and effectively can be supported by information gathered through structural health monitoring (SHM). In this paper, a combined approach based on passive, i.e., acoustic emission (AE), and active, i.e., ultrasonic stress wave (USW) monitoring techniques for application to concrete structures is proposed and evaluated. While AE and USW are based on the same underlying physics, i.e., wave motion in solids, they differ fundamentally with respect to the nature of the source. For the former, external stimuli such as mechanical loads or temperature cause the rapid release of energy from initially unknown locations. As a result, AE events are unique and cannot be repeated. For the latter, a known source at a known location is employed at a specified time. This approach is thus controlled and repeatable. It is argued that a combination of these two techniques has the potential to provide a more comprehensive picture of ongoing fracture processes, damage progression, as well as slowly occurring aging and degradation mechanisms. This combined approach does thus promise new opportunities to support condition assessment of concrete structures. After providing an overview and comparison of the two techniques, results, and observations from a full-scale laboratory experiment and an in-service bridge monitoring study are discussed to demonstrate the promise of the proposed combined monitoring approach. Finally, suggestions for further work are presented. T2 - NDT-CE 2022 CY - Zurich, Switzerland DA - 16.08.2022 KW - Ultrasound KW - Acoustic emission KW - Concrete structures KW - Monitoring PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-563242 UR - https://www.ndt.net/article/ndtce2022/paper/61607_manuscript.pdf SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - NDT.net AN - OPUS4-56324 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Lay, Vera A1 - Effner, Ute A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Arendt, J. A1 - Kudla, W. 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. A special version of MgO concrete is used in the mine in Teutschenthal and applied at a large-scale test with the aim to provide a low permeability barrier. The test structures (up to 10 m long) were created by shotcreting. Besides destructive tests, non-destructive ultrasonic measurements have been evaluated 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 and from the side of the concrete structure. Images are obtained by synthetic aperture focusing techniques. The boundaries between concreting sections are not visible in the ultrasonic images systematically so that a successful concreting is assumed, which is confirmed by the low permeabilities observed. 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 artificial defects was undertaken to analyse the reliability of the applied methods. Overall, the conducted tests show the potential of ultrasonic measurements to detect critical anomalies. Despite challenges at small-scale structures (cm-order), large-scale anomalies can be identified. Consequently, implementing ultrasonic monitoring during and after the construction of concrete sealing structures has shown its potential as a tool for quality assurance, but needs further development and validation. 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 UR - https://www.ndt.net/events/proceedings/topic.php?eventID=292&TopicID=27209 SP - 1 EP - 4 PB - NDT.net AN - OPUS4-55824 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Prabhakara, Prathik A1 - Mielentz, Frank A1 - Stolpe, Heiko A1 - Behrens, Matthias A1 - Lay, Vera A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Validation of novel ultrasonic phased array borehole probe by using simulation and measurement N2 - Low-frequency ultrasonic testing is a well-established non-destructive testing (NDT) method in civil engineering for material characterization and the localization of cracks, reinforcing bars and delamination. A novel ultrasonic borehole probe is developed for in situ quality assurance of sealing structures in radioactive waste repositories using existing research boreholes. The aim is to examine the sealing structures made of salt concrete for any possible cracks and delamination and to localize built-in components. A prototype has been developed using 12 individual horizontal dry point contact (DPC) shear wave transducers separated by equidistant transmitter/receiver arrays. The probe is equipped with a commercially available portable ultrasonic flaw detector used in the NDT civil engineering industry. To increase the sound pressure generated, the number of transducers in the novel probe is increased to 32 transducers. In addition, the timed excitation of each transducer directs a focused beam of sound to a specific angle and distance based on the previously calculated delay time. This narrows the sensitivity of test volume and improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signals. In this paper, the newly designed phased array borehole probe is validated by beam computation in the CIVA software and experimental investigations on a half-cylindrical test specimen to investigate the directional characteristics. In combination with geophysical reconstruction methods, it is expected that an optimised radiation pattern of the probe will improve the signal quality and thus increase the reliability of the imaging results. This is an important consideration for the construction of safe sealing structures for the safe disposal of radioactive or toxic waste. KW - Ultrasound KW - Phased array KW - Concrete KW - Borehole PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-565722 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/s22249823 SN - 1424-8220 VL - 22 IS - 24 SP - 1 EP - 16 PB - MDPI CY - Basel AN - OPUS4-56572 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - GEN A1 - Maack, Stefan T1 - Low-frequency ultrasound data (pulse-echo technique) with shear horizontal and longitudinal waves on a reference polyamide specimen “BAM-Pk218” N2 - This dataset contains raw data observed with ultrasound measurements on a polyamide reference specimen at Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin. The internal specimen identifier is „Pk218“. The measurements were conducted using the pulse-echo method. KW - Nondestructive testing KW - Ultrasound KW - Pulse-echo technique KW - Validation KW - Reference material KW - Reconstruction algorithm PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/KVN7CY PB - Harvard College CY - Cambridge, MA, USA AN - OPUS4-54959 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schumacher, T. A1 - Bertola, N. A1 - Epple, Niklas A1 - Bruehwiler, E. A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Combined Passive and Active Ultrasonic Stress Wave Monitoring of Concrete Structures: An Overview of Data Analysis Techniques and Their Applications and Limitations N2 - Combined passive ultrasonic (US) stress wave [better known as acoustic emission (AE)] and active US stress wave monitoring has been shown to provide a more holistic picture of ongoing fracture processes, damage progression, as well as slowly occurring aging and degradation mechanisms in concrete structures. Traditionally, different data analysis techniques have been used to analyze the data generated from these two monitoring techniques. For passive US stress wave monitoring, waveform amplitudes, hit rates, source localization, and b-value analysis, among others, have been used to detect and locate cracking. On the other hand, amplitude tracking, magnitude squared coherence (MSC), and coda wave interferometry (CWI) are examples of analyses that have been employed for active US stress wave monitoring. In this paper, we explore some of these data analysis techniques and show where their respective applications and limitations might be. After providing an overview of the monitoring approach and the different data analysis techniques, results and observations from selected laboratory experiments are discussed. Finally, suggestions for further work are proposed. T2 - 11th European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring (EWSHM 2024) CY - Potsdam, Germany DA - 11.06.2024 KW - Ultrasound KW - Acoustic emission KW - Concrete KW - Stress PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-604687 UR - https://www.ndt.net/article/ewshm2024/papers/824_manuscript.pdf DO - https://doi.org/10.58286/29863 SN - 1435-4934 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - NDT.net AN - OPUS4-60468 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Vössing, Konrad A1 - Gaal, Mate A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Imaging wood defects using air coupled ferroelectret ultrasonic transducers in reflection mode N2 - Air-coupled ultrasound (ACU) is used to detect defects in wood panels without physically contacting the sample and with a quick scanning rate. Transducers made of cellular polypropylene (PP) with a high signal-to-noise ratio are quite suitable for ACU testing of wood. The extremely low modulus of elasticity and low density of PP transducers results in a small difference in acoustic impedance for the Transmission of ultrasonic waves between the transducer and air, allowing new areas of application to become possible. To demonstrate the suitability of the reflection technique, measurements are shown on the three samples Multiplex, LVL, and MDF and compared with transmission measurements. Due to this acoustic barrier and the use of cellular PP transducers, an exact detection of delamination and cavities is possible in wood panels up to 40 mm thick. If only one side of an object is accessible and the depth of the defect is of interest, the reflection technique is preferred at the expense of a reduced measuring accuracy and Penetration depth. KW - Wood KW - Ultrasound KW - Air coupled KW - Defects PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118032 VL - 241 SP - 118032, 1 EP - 8 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-50235 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Epple, Niklas A1 - Fontoura Barroso, Daniel A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst ED - Rizzo, P. ED - Milazzo, A. T1 - Towards Monitoring of Concrete Structures with Embedded Ultrasound Sensors and Coda Waves – First Results of DFG for CoDA N2 - Due to the importance of reinforced concrete structures for modern society, damage assessment during the entire life-cycle of such structures has become a special interest in non-destructive testing. Using embedded ultrasound sensors in combination with other measurement methods, numerical modeling and self-made data collectors, tailored specifically for monitoring tasks, the German research group DFG FOR CoDA aims to investigate and develop novel methods for damage detection and rapid model updating in reinforced concrete structures. In the first stage of the project, besides the development of custom-built, low-cost data collectors, ultrasonic transducers are embedded in a large, reinforced concrete specimen on a BAM test site near Berlin. In this experiment, the influence of changing environmental conditions (mainly temperature) on the ultrasound signal is investigated using coda-wave interferometry. The results show a correlation between changes in temperature and ultrasonic velocity. Such changes must be taken into consideration in a long-term monitoring setup to distinguish between reversible and permanent changes. By correcting the data using a linear relation between concrete temperature and velocity change to remove the seasonal trends and by low-pass filtering the data to remove daily variations can remove most of the temperature influence on the ultrasound measurements. KW - Ultrasound KW - Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI) KW - Embedded sensors KW - Structural health monitoring PY - 2021 SN - 978-3-030-64593-9 SN - 978-3-030-64594-6 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64594-6_27 VL - 127 SP - 266 EP - 275 PB - Springer Nature CY - Cham, Switzerland AN - OPUS4-52012 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Epple, Niklas T1 - Monitoring of Concrete with Embedded Ultrasound Sensors, Coda Waves and a Novel Measurement Device N2 - Using embedded ultrasound (US) sensors in civil engineering structures and Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI), DFG research group CoDA aims for developing methods of concrete damage assessment by combination of Micro and macro scale simulations and experiments. BAMs goal within the project is the provision of small and durable measurement equipment on the one hand, and the investigation of damage sensitive parameters and development of an imaging algorithm on the other hand. In this study we focus on the development of the measurement system and the influence of temperature variations on the measurements. T2 - Summer School DFG FOR CoDA CY - Berchtesgaden, Germany DA - 27.09.2020 KW - Ultrasound KW - Coda Wave Interferometry KW - Structural Health Monitoring PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-51382 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 - CHAP A1 - Epple, Niklas A1 - Fontoura Barroso, Daniel A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Hindersmann, I. A1 - Sodeikat, C. A1 - Groschup, R. ED - Rizzo, P. ED - Milazzo, A. T1 - From the Lab to the Structure: Monitoring of a German Road Bridge Using Embedded Ultrasonic Transducers and Coda Waves N2 - The ‘Gänstorbrücke’ 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. KW - Bridge monitoring KW - Ultrasound KW - Embedded sensors KW - Coda wave interferometry PY - 2022 SN - 978-3-031-07258-1 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07258-1_83 VL - 254 SP - 824 EP - 832 PB - Springer Cham CY - Cham AN - OPUS4-55385 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Landis, E. A1 - Hassfras, Emiel A1 - Oesch, Tyler A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Relating ultrasonic signals to concrete microstructure using X-ray computed tomography N2 - With a goal to improve our understanding of the relationships between microstructural features and ultrasonic signal behavior, concrete specimens of varying water-to-cement ratio were imaged using X-ray computed tomography (CT), and subsequently subjected to ultrasonic testing. From the CT scans, measurements were made of cement paste density and number of interfaces. Ultrasonic signals produced using a through-transmission configuration were analyzed and fit to a diffusion model to separate absorption from scattering attenuation. The results showed that at the frequencies tested, ultrasonic dissipation rate correlated weakly with paste density, while diffusivity correlated well with number of interfaces, but only if entrained air is considered separately. Cement paste density was found to be very well predicted by diffusivity, leading to a clear power-law relationship between diffusivity and compressive strength. KW - Concrete KW - Ultrasound KW - Strength KW - CT PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121124 SN - 0950-0618 VL - 268 SP - Paper 121124, 1 EP - 12 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-52073 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wang, Xin A1 - Chakraborty, J. A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Noise Reduction for Improvement of Ultrasonic Monitoring Using Coda Wave Interferometry on a Real Bridge N2 - Reinforced concrete bridges are iconic parts of modern infrastructure. They are designed for a minimum service life of 100 years. However, environmental factors and/or inappropriate use might cause overload and accelerate the deterioration of bridges. In extreme cases, bridges could collapse when necessary maintenance lacks. Thus, the permanent monitoring for structure health assessment has been proposed, which is the aim of structural health monitoring (SHM). Studies in laboratories have shown that ultrasonic (US) coda wave interferometry (CWI) using diffuse waves has high sensitivity and reliability to detect subtle changes in concrete structures. The creation of micro-cracks might be recognized at an early stage. Moreover, large-volume structures can be monitored with a relatively small number of US transducers. However, it is still a challenge to implement the CWI method in real SHM practical applications in an outdoor environment because of the complex external factors, such as various noise sources that interfere with the recorded signals. In this paper, monitoring data from a 36-m long bridge girder in Gliwice, Poland, instrumented with embedded US transducers, thermistors, and vibrating wire strain gauges, is presented. Noise estimation and reductionmethods are discussed, and the influence of traffic, as well as temperature variation, are studied. As a result, the relative velocity variation of US waves following the temperature change with a very high precision of 10−4% is shown, and a good bridge health condition is inferred. The influence of lightweight real traffic is negligible. The study verified the feasibility of the implementation of the CWI method on real bridge structures. KW - Ultrasound KW - Coda Wave Interferometry KW - Noise KW - Concrete KW - Bridge PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10921-020-00743-9 VL - 40 IS - 1 SP - Article number: 14 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-52052 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 - CHAP A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Wang, Xin A1 - Epple, Niklas A1 - Schumacher, T. A1 - Ahmend, S. A1 - Klikowicz, P. ED - Yokota, H. ED - Frangopol, D. W. 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. KW - Coda wave interferometry KW - Structural health monitoring KW - Ultrasound KW - Concrete KW - Bridges PY - 2021 SN - 978-0-367-23278-8 DO - https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429279119-345 SP - 2525 EP - 2531 PB - Taylor & Francis CY - London, UK AN - OPUS4-54168 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 - Epple, Niklas A1 - Fontoura Barroso, Daniel A1 - Hau, Julia A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst ED - Cunha, A. ED - Caetano, E. 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 - Ultrasound KW - Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI) KW - Structural Health Monitoring KW - Embedded Sensors PY - 2021 SP - 1 EP - 7 AN - OPUS4-54007 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 - JOUR A1 - Bühling, Benjamin A1 - Maack, Stefan T1 - Improving onset picking in ultrasonic testing by using a spectral entropy criterion N2 - In ultrasonic testing, material and structural properties of a specimen can be derived from the time-of-flight (ToF). Using signal features, such as the first peak or envelope maximum, to calculate the ToF is error-prone in multipath arrangements or dispersive and attenuating materials, which is not the case for the signal onset. Borrowing from seismology, researchers used the Akaike information criterion (AIC) picker to automatically determine onset times. The most commonly used formulation, Maeda's AIC picker, is reassessed and found to be based on inappropriate assumptions for signals often used in ultrasonic testing and dependent on arbitrary parameters. Consequently, an onset picker for ultrasonic through-transmission measurements is proposed, based on a spectral entropy criterion (SEC) to model the signal using the AIC framework. This SEC picker takes into account the spectral properties of the ultrasonic signal and is virtually free of arbitrary parameters. Synthetic and experimental data are used to compare the performance of SEC and AIC pickers. It is shown that the accuracy of onset picking is improved for densely sampled data. KW - Akaike information criterion picker KW - Nondestructive testing KW - Ultrasound KW - Time of flight PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-594284 UR - https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jasa/article/155/1/544/3061576/Improving-onset-picking-in-ultrasonic-testing-by DO - https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0024337 SN - 0001-4966 VL - 155 IS - 1 SP - 544 EP - 554 PB - AIP Publishing CY - Melville, NY, USA AN - OPUS4-59428 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 - Lay, Vera T1 - Advanced analysis of ultrasonic investigations at sealing structures N2 - Engineering barrier systems are a crucial part of the safe underground disposal of radioactive waste, particularly in salt as a host rock. Sealing structures made of tailored concrete are under test at various sites in Germany. To characterise the material properties of the concrete and potentially also the bonding to the host rock as part of the necessary subsurface structures, we apply non-destructive testing making use of advanced geophysical imaging methods. Ultrasonic investigations have been carried out at underground concrete structures in the Teutschenthal mine in Germany. Here, we show results from two distinct constructions produced in a shotcrete procedure. Our goal is to analyse the performance of ultrasonics to be used as quality assurance for sealing structures made from shotcrete. First, a ~10 m long shotcrete structure is investigated with the help of a unique Large Aperture Ultrasonic System (LAUS) allowing for depth penetration of > 9 m. We perform measurements at the front and from the side of the construction. Second, we obtain results from a 1 m thick shotcrete body containing several artificial defects (width up to 8 cm). Ultrasonic testing data were acquired using a commercial multi-static device. Additionally, a new device measuring with 3D mode instead of line mode is applied and preliminary results will be shown. Generally, the acquired ultrasonic data are analysed by the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique that is commonly applied in non-destructive testing. As a result, reflectors in the analysed shotcrete structures are imaged. Individual reflections from internal features and particularly the opposite wall are identified. An unexpected delamination wider than 30 cm is clearly imaged and later verified by boreholes. Thus, the method is – in general – suitable to serve as a quality measure. However, particularly the small and deep artificial defects can hardly be identified in the resulting images. Thus, we use advanced geophysical imaging methods to further enhance the quality of the obtained images. The recorded ultrasonic energy is focused to the physically reflective origin in the analysed volume. First results clearly show that we successfully improve the image quality regarding noise level and artifacts and hence facilitate the detection of objects. In total, we present a valuable experiment under realistic conditions for underground sealing structures made from shotcrete, where the locations of artificial reflectors are partly known. This experiment serves as a unique basis to analyse the performance of advanced analysis methods to obtain high-quality images of the structure’s interior. Hence, the developed ultrasonic testing and analysis schemes can serve as a part of quality assurance that will help to enable safe sealing structures for nuclear waste disposal. T2 - SafeND2023: Interdisciplinary research symposium on the safety of nuclear disposal practices CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 13.09.2023 KW - Ultrasound KW - Imaging KW - Engineered barrier systems KW - Shotcrete PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.5194/sand-2-67-2023 AN - OPUS4-58497 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 - JOUR A1 - Dominguez-Bureos, Marco A1 - Sens-Schönfelder, Christoph A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Hadziioannou, Céline T1 - Stress- and Time-dependent Variations of Elastic Properties for Integrity Assessment in a Reinforced Concrete Test Bridge N2 - In lab experiments, it has been observed that the stress–and time-dependent elastic properties of a complex material at a structural scale perform accordingly to its composition at a microstructural level. We seek complementary practices to the current wavefield-based non-destructive testing techniques to assess not only the integrity level of civil structures but also the microstructural elements that contribute to it. In this paper, we study the systematic evolution of elastic properties of concrete as an alternative to investigate the density of micro imperfections in an outdoor-conditioned concrete structure. We estimate 5-second relative velocity changes in four locations on a Test bridge subjected to the action of vertical impulsive sources, at different prestressing levels (dynamic effects at different static conditions). We describe the structure’s stress- and time-dependent elastic response by means of acoustoelastic effect and Slow-dynamic processes, respectively. We also estimate the conventional ultrasound pulse velocity and perform a cooperative integrity analysis of the structure using the three elastic phenomena. Our findings reveal: 1) The presence of soft microstructures and their orientation’s influence on the acoustoelastic effect and Slow-dynamics in field-conditioned concrete structures. 2) The relation of low ultrasound pulse velocities with high acoustoelastic effect and high magnitudes and variability of Slow-dynamics. 3) Different elastic behaviours on the north and south spans of the bridge, suggesting different heterogeneity levels on the analysed locations of the concrete beam. KW - Concrete KW - Ultrasound KW - Nonlinear KW - Elastic properties KW - Damage PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-640064 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10921-025-01257-y SN - 0195-9298 VL - 44 IS - 4 SP - 1 EP - 16 PB - Springer Science and Business Media LLC AN - OPUS4-64006 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 - Roumia, N. A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Mazotti, C. T1 - Post-tensioned concrete inspection and imaging using 2D and 3D Dry Point Contact ultrasound array N2 - by the asset owners. Advancements were introduced to the method by distributing numerous shear horizontal Dry Point Contact (DPC) transducers in a uniform way, forming a linear array that allows for immediate two-dimensional imaging of the subsurface using Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT). Recent developments were implemented, allowing for the full potential use of the array by means of three-dimensionaldata acquisition instead of two-dimensional. This work provides a practical comparison between the 2D Linear scanning mode and the newly introduced 3D Matrix scanning mode regarding the tendon duct inspection, grouting quality, and reinforcement localization. Imaging the subsurface was performed through research-oriented software, namely InterSAFT, which allows for 2D and 3D imaging using Linear and Matrix data acquisitions. T2 - NDT-CE 2025 - The International Symposium on Nondestructive Testing in Civil Engineering CY - Izmir, Türkiye DA - 24.09.2025 KW - Ultrasound KW - Imaging KW - Concrete KW - SAFT PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-642551 DO - https://doi.org/10.58286/31690 SN - 1435-4934 VL - 30 IS - 10 SP - 1 EP - 4 PB - ndt.net AN - OPUS4-64255 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 - TY - CONF A1 - Prager, Jens T1 - Technological and Regulatory Constraints on the Use of Structural Health Monitoring - Our Experience with SHM for Hydrogen Pressure Vessels N2 - Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is seen as a key component of NDT 4.0. The aim is to replace labour- and cost-intensive periodic inspections with integrated sensor technology and automated data evaluation, and to increase the operational safety and reliability of critical components. Although SHM is already being used to monitor infrastructure components, approaches for technical structures and components have not yet left the laboratory scale, despite intensive efforts. This is particularly the case for aircraft components, pipelines and components in the chemical and process industries. As part of a publicly funded joint project, BAM has attempted to supplement or replace the legally required periodic inspection of high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks with SHM. With regard to a real laboratory "hydrogen refuelling station", different sensor concepts were applied to type IV pressure vessels and the vessels were subjected to accelerated ageing by pressure cycling. The applied monitoring methods were validated against different failure mechanisms. The contribution presents the results of the project and discusses the specific challenges of using SHM approaches in practice. In addition to describing the technological challenges of replacing periodic inspections with SHM, the talk addresses the legal aspects for the operation of pilot plants and real laboratories. As artificial intelligence and machine learning methods are favoured for signal processing, evaluation and assessment of SHM measurement data, the impact of the European AI Act as the first legal framework for AI is also discussed. T2 - SYSINT 2025 CY - Bremen, Germany DA - 04.06.2025 KW - Pressure vessels KW - Structural health monitoring KW - Ultrasound PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64526 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR ED - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Micro Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation N2 - What is meant by ‘Micro Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation’? This was the central subject of debate in this Special Issue. At present, sub-millimeter-size components or even assemblies are pervading the industrial and scientific world. Classic examples are electronic devices and watches (as well as parts thereof), but recent examples encompass additively manufactured lattice structures, stents, or other microparts. Moreover, most assemblies contain micro-components. Testing such components or their miniaturized parts would fit well within the topic of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation. In all cases, performance and integrity testing, quality control, and dimensional tolerances need to be measured at the sub-millimeter level (ideally with a spatial resolution of about a micron); most of the time, such features and components are embedded in much larger assemblies, which also need to be taken into account. The solution to this dilemma (i.e. measuring large parts with high resolution) depends on the part and on the problem under consideration. Another possible definition of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation can relate to the characterization of micro-features (e.g., the microstructure) in much larger specimens, such as damage in concrete cores or porosity in additively manufactured components. A further aspect is the use of microscopic probes to evaluate macroscopic properties. This is the case, for instance but not at all exclusively, in the use of diffraction techniques to determine macroscopic stress. The splits between testing and characterization at the micro-level (or of micro parts) from one side and handling of macroscopic assemblies on the other represent a great challenge for many fields of materials characterization. On top of that, including the use of microscopic methods to test integrity would add a further level of complexity. Imaging, mechanical testing, non-destructive testing, measurement of properties, structural health monitoring, and dimensional metrology all need to be re-defined if we want to cope with the multi-faceted topic of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation. The challenge has already been accepted by the scientific and engineering communities for a while but is still far from being universally tackled. This Special Issue yields an interesting answer to the questions posed above. It presents the progress made and the different aspects of the challenge as well as at indicates the paths for the future of NDT&E. KW - Neutron Diffraction KW - Ultrasound KW - Eddy Currents KW - X-ray Computed Tomography KW - Mechanical Properties KW - Residual Stress KW - Defects PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-570321 SN - 978-3-0365-6180-6 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-0365-6180-6 SN - 1996-1944 SP - 1 EP - 304 PB - MDPI CY - Basel AN - OPUS4-57032 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Micro Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation N2 - What is meant by ‘Micro Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation’? This was the central subject of debate in this Special Issue. At present, sub-millimeter-size components or even assemblies are pervading the industrial and scientific world. Classic examples are electronic devices and watches (as well as parts thereof), but recent examples encompass additively manufactured lattice structures, stents, or other microparts. Moreover, most assemblies contain micro-components. Testing such components or their miniaturized parts would fit well within the topic of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation. In all cases, performance and integrity testing, quality control, and dimensional tolerances need to be measured at the sub-millimeter level (ideally with a spatial resolution of about a micron); most of the time, such features and components are embedded in much larger assemblies, which also need to be taken into account. The solution to this dilemma (i.e. measuring large parts with high resolution) depends on the part and on the problem under consideration. Another possible definition of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation can relate to the characterization of micro-features (e.g., the microstructure) in much larger specimens, such as damage in concrete cores or porosity in additively manufactured components. A further aspect is the use of microscopic probes to evaluate macroscopic properties. This is the case, for instance but not at all exclusively, in the use of diffraction techniques to determine macroscopic stress. The splits between testing and characterization at the micro-level (or of micro parts) from one side and handling of macroscopic assemblies on the other represent a great challenge for many fields of materials characterization. On top of that, including the use of microscopic methods to test integrity would add a further level of complexity. Imaging, mechanical testing, non-destructive testing, measurement of properties, structural health monitoring, and dimensional metrology all need to be re-defined if we want to cope with the multi-faceted topic of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation. The challenge has already been accepted by the scientific and engineering communities for a while but is still far from being universally tackled. This Special Issue yields an interesting answer to the questions posed above. It presents the progress made and the different aspects of the challenge as well as at indicates the paths for the future of NDT&E. KW - Ultrasound KW - Materials Characterization KW - Residual Stress KW - Thermography Computed KW - Tomography KW - Non-destructive Testing KW - Magnetic Methods PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-556849 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15175923 VL - 15 IS - 17 SP - 1 EP - 3 PB - MDPI CY - Basel, Schweiz AN - OPUS4-55684 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -