This paper describes an innovation of a phased array using dry contact probes to test concrete components. Based on preceding work on pressure waves, a low-frequency ultrasonic phased array consisting of shear wave probes is used in the experiments. This configuration allows the variation and control of the sound field directivity during the measurement. The measurements are carried out on a concrete test block using a scanning laservibrometer and a scanner system in transmission mode. The laboratory measurements are compared to theoretical calculations to investigate the influence of the probes shape and dimension on the resulting sound field patterns. The comparison of the modelling and the measurements demonstrates the suitability of the point source synthesis as a tool for the optimization of probe array designs. Methods of coded are used to improve the signal to noise ratio.
An innovative application of ultrasonic testing using phased arrays for concrete components was investigated. A low frequency ultrasonic phased array consisting of ten transducers was used. This configuration allowed the variation and control of the sound field directivity during the measurement. The measurements were carried out on concrete test specimens using a scanning laservibrometer in through transmission mode. The laboratory measurements were compared to theoretical calculations to investigate the influence of shape and dimension of the transducer on the resulting sound field patterns. The technique was successfully implemented to detect an ungrouted tendon duct in a concrete block.