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- 2002 (6) (entfernen)
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- Concrete (6) (entfernen)
Rapid and accurate non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques are needed to assess the in-place condition of concrete structures. However the time and effort required to perform NDE tests using conventional surface-mounted contact sensors hinder rapid evaluation of full-scale structures. The authors are cooperating in research to develop rapid and robust methods that collect mechanical wave signals from concrete structures and to characterize defects in concrete
using that signal data. The suitability of surface waves and laser-based, non-contact wave detection techniques for this purpose are examined here. After a brief introduction to non-contact sensing, an experimental set-up is described and results from experimental tests are presented. Mechanical surface waves in a concrete slab specimen are generated with several different conventional sources. The ability of a laser vibrometer to detect wave propagation from concrete that does not have any reflective treatment (normal concrete surface) is demonstrated, allowing the generation of ultrasonic images. Test results from a concrete specimen containing a subsurface defect are then presented. The obtained ultrasonic images illustrate some limitations of using surface waves to detect subsurface defects in concrete, although approaches to improve the results are proposed.
Today's civil engineering NDT needs are for quantitative, fast to apply and easy to interpret methods. They are required on site both for evaluation of existing structures/infrastructure and for quality control in new construction. With this purpose, BAM has carried out in-situ feasibility studies, using radar, impact-echo and ultrasonic-echo methods. Two examples are given of their combined application on different railway slab–track constructions, using high frequency radar, scanning impact-echo and ultrasonic array methods. The aim was to evaluate limitations and advantages, comparability and complementarity of these methods. The on-site measurements demonstrated the possibility to investigate, with good accuracy via NDT, the bonding conditions between sleepers and slab, to locate voids and measure layer thickness. The acoustic and electromagnetic methods used, were found to be complementary.
The application of impulse radar for structural investigation of concrete elements has been increased during the last years related to technical developments, i. e. of high frequency antennas. In this paper, case studies will be presented related to the location of reinforcing bars, tendon ducts and repaired concrete areas in concrete bridges, anchors and dowels in concrete highways and delaminations of layered structures as they are used for non-ballasted railway tracks. It is shown that impulse radar can be applied in case of regular inspection and for searching the cause of damages but also for quality assessment in civil engineering.