Filtern
Erscheinungsjahr
Dokumenttyp
- Beitrag zu einem Tagungsband (95) (entfernen)
Schlagworte
- Concrete (20)
- Monitoring (16)
- Ultrasound (15)
- Ultraschall (7)
- Coda wave interferometry (6)
- Beton (5)
- Integrity (4)
- Non-destructive testing (4)
- Parallel seismic (4)
- Qualitätskontrolle (4)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
- 8 Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung (40)
- 8.2 Zerstörungsfreie Prüfmethoden für das Bauwesen (39)
- 7 Bauwerkssicherheit (3)
- 8.6 Faseroptische Sensorik (3)
- 8.0 Abteilungsleitung und andere (2)
- 8.1 Sensorik, mess- und prüftechnische Verfahren (2)
- 7.2 Ingenieurbau (1)
- 7.4 Baustofftechnologie (1)
- 7.6 Korrosion und Korrosionsschutz (1)
- 9 Komponentensicherheit (1)
Defect detection in concrete pile using impulse response measurements with sine sweep excitations
(2015)
For pile integrity inspection, a low cost and portable shaker was used to create the sine sweep signal for pile excitation. The impulse response function, calculated by the deconvolution of pile response from the sine sweep excitation, was proposed to identify the echoes in the piles due to the pile’s impedance changes. The proposed methodology has been evaluated and validated both numerically and experimentally. Based on the results from the simulations and experiments, it was found that the impulse response measurement with sine sweep excitation could be an effective tool to detect the echoes of the pile toe and the defects in the pile.
The necessity and demand for nondestructive testing of wood-based materials which can automatically scan huge areas of wood is increasing. Air-coupled ultrasound (ACU) is used to detect defects and damage without altering the structure permanently. Using through transmission it is possible to detect even small holes and missing adhesive. If only one side of an object is accessible the reflection mode is preferred at the expense of a reduced resolution and penetration depth. Novel ferroelectret transducers with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enable a high-precision structure recognition. The transducers made of cellular polypropylene (PP) are quite suitable for ACU testing due to their extremely low Young’s modulus and low density which result in a favorable acoustic impedance for the transmission of ultrasonic waves between the transducer and air. Thus, defects such as delamination, rot, and cracks can be detected. Promising results were obtained under laboratory conditions with frequencies from 90 kHz to 200 kHz. The advantage of these ACU transducers is that they do not require contact to the sample, are accurate, and cost effective. Ultrasonic quality assurance for Wood is an important attempt to increase the acceptance of wooden structures and towards sustainability in civil engineering in general.
The detection of delamination, rot and cracks causing a decrease of strength in wooden construction elements is a key task for nondestructive testing (NDT). Air-coupled ultrasound (ACU) is used to detect flaws without having to provide contact to the surface or otherwise affect the object. Novel ferroelectric transducers with a high signal-to-noise ratio enable an accurate flaw detection. Transducers made of cellular polypropylene (PP) are suitable for characterizing wood-based materials (WBM) because their extremely low Young’s modulus and low density mean a favorable acoustic impedance for the transmission of ultrasonic waves between the transducer and air. The transducers can be applied during the production of WBM and during its service life. The device enables a fast in-situ recognition of defects with frequencies between 90 kHz and 250 kHz. Measurements can be performed in through transmission for a high resolution or in pulse-echo technique in case of one-sided access at the expense of reduced signal strength. Ultrasonic quality assurance for wood is an important attempt to increase the acceptance of wooden structures and towards sustainability in civil engineering in general.
In der aktuellen Projektphase liegt der Fokus auf der Datenaufnahme, -bearbeitung und -speiche-rung mit dem Ziel, automatisierte Auswerteverfahren einsetzen zu können. Aktuell wurden primär punktuelle Messungen an ausgewählten Messtagen aufgenommen. Die Systeme sollen so weiter-entwickelt werden, dass sie sich auch für kontinuierliche Messungen im Rahmen von Monitoring-aufgaben eignen.
Ein wichtiger Fokus bei der Auswertung ist die Kombination mit numerischen Modellen, die mithilfe von Bayesian Update Verfahren und den aufgenommenen Messdaten kalibriert und im Verlauf der Monitoringaufgabe angepasst werden sollen. Insbesondere sollen auch zeitabhängige Modelle, die eine zeitliche Entwicklung von Struktureigenschaften beinhalten (Kriechen, Schwinden, Ermüdung, Korrosion) dazu verwendet werden, die zukünftige Performance der Struktur bewerten zu können. Basierend darauf werden dann Konzepte zur Planung von Inspektion und Wartung erstellt.
The duraBASt area at the highway intersection “Köln-Ost” is a large test field for road testing.
It includes the duraBASt test bridge which is approximately 66 m long and 14.25 m broad. This bridge is part of the “road in the 21st Century” project and is equipped with several sensors for structural health monitoring. This feasibility study is carried out to investigate the prerequisites necessary for the constraction of intelligent bridges in the foture. Embedded sensors are able to measure quantities such as temperature, strain, moisture, corrosion, etc. In the presented work, the focus is set on passive RFID-based sensors. The communication and energy supply are realised by a mobile transmitter through the concrete cover. Hence, no cables or batteries are required. The sensors are designed to withstand the alkaline environment in concrete. Thus, moisture and corrosion values are measurable for several decades.
Utilization of coherent phase information in complex wave fields forms the basis of interferometric time series analysis. The concept is known since decades, but until about 15 years ago there have been no practical implementations. Meanwhile seismic interferometry is used in a wide range from investigations of the earth’s deep crust to engineering applications. Focused on monitoring and imaging the MIIC (Monitoring and Imaging based on Interferometric Concepts) project as part of the German GeoTechnologien program has contributed to this development. Special attention was given to the transfer of methodology to different length scales that range from centimeters, in laboratory applications, over geotechnical scales to even kilometers in seismological applications. General purpose methods and open source software was developed, which can be used on all scales. The core of the MIIC software is a Python library organized in different modules for various processing tasks. A graphical user interface facilitates the creation of processing routines by visualizing connections and dependencies of variables and by checking the consistency of data types. Example applications have included carbon sequestration, salt mine and railroad embankment monitoring as well as imaging changes in concrete constructions.
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.
In earthquake-prone regions such as the Pacific Northwest, damage assessment tools are needed to enable safety evaluations to support recovery. Currently, damage assessment is performed primarily by visual inspection and is often impossible for structural members that are inaccessible, such as deep foundations or interior members hidden by cladding. This study explores the possibility of using embedded ultrasonic transducers to monitor reinforced concrete members for damage progression under earthquake loading. A novel methodology is proposed where changes in the member condition due to an increase in the earthquake-type loading of a full-scale column-foundation specimen are correlated with changes in the recorded ultrasonic waveforms. The discussed preliminary analysis of the ultrasonic signals is based on wave propagation velocity, changes in the coda wave portion, and maximum amplitude of the signals. Three embedded transducers were used to continuously monitor the laboratory specimen during destructive testing. This paper provides an overview of the proposed methodology, outlines the laboratory experiment, and discusses some preliminary observations.
Static and dynamic pile tests are carried out to determine the load bearing capacity and the quality of reinforced concrete piles. As part of a round robin test to evaluate dynamic load tests, structure integrated fibre optic strain sensors were used to receive more detailed information about the strains along the pile length compared to conventional measurements at the pile head. This paper shows the instrumentation of the pile with extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometers sensors and fibre Bragg gratings sensors together with the results of the conducted static load test as well as the dynamic load Tests and pile integrity tests.
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.
A new type of ultrasonic borehole probe is currently under development for the quality assurance of sealing structures in radioactive waste repositories using existing research boreholes. The goal is to examine the sealing structures made of salt concrete for possible cracks, delamination, and embedded objects. Earlier prototype probes use 12 or 16 individual dry point contact (DPC) horizontal shear wave transducers grouped into a transmitter and a receiver array, each made up of six or eight individual transducers. They are operated with a commercially available portable ultrasonic flaw detector used in the civil engineering industry. To increase the generated sound pressure of the borehole probe, the number of transducers in the novel probe is increased to 32. In addition, timed excitation of each probe is used to direct a focused sound beam to a specific angle and distance based on calculated time delays. Hence, the sensitive test volume is limited, and the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signals is improved. This paper presents the validation of the newly developed phased array borehole probe by beam computation in CIVA software and experimental investigations on a semi-cylindrical test specimen to investigate the directional characteristics. In combination with geophysical reconstruction techniques, an optimised radiation pattern of the probe is expected to improve the signal quality and thus increase the reliability of the imaging results.
This is of great importance for the construction of safe sealing structures needed for the disposal of radioactive or toxic waste.
Ultrasonic methods are valuable tools for quality assessment and structural imaging of concrete. In such applications, accurate and reliable determination of ultrasonic wave velocities is essential, as they are affected by various experimental and environmental factors. In this research coda wave interferometry (CWI) was used to determine the influence of temperature (0 to 50 °C) on ultrasonic wave velocity in concrete samples. A resolution of better than 10-4 was achieved in the measurement of relative velocity changes. Reversibility and repeatability as well as the influence of moisture were taken into account. In addition the influence of sensor (transmitter and receiver) positioning errors on the results of the interferometric algorithm was evaluated as well as the benefit of newly developed, permanently embedded sensors. The presented results can be used to evaluate and refine data from ultrasonic monitoring systems.
LAUS - Erste praktische Erfahrungen mit einem neuartigen Ultraschallsystem großer Eindringtiefe
(2018)
Konventionelle Systeme zur Ultraschall-Echo-Prüfung von Betonbauteilen sind in ihrer Eindringtiefe auf etwa einem Meter begrenzt. Zur Prüfung stärkerer Objekte war die Entwicklung eines neuartigen Prüfsystems notwendig. Das LAUS-System (Large Aperture UltraSound) besteht aus 12 einzelnen Arrays, die mit jeweils 32 Einzelprüfköpfen (Scherwellen, 25 – 50 kHz) als Sender oder Empfänger betrieben werden können. Sie werden unabhängig auf Betonoberflächen mit Unterdruck befestigt und kommunizieren drahtlos untereinander und mit der Zentraleinheit. Alle möglichen Kombinationen ergeben 132 Einzelmessungen, die zur Rekonstruktion des durchschallten Volumens genutzt werden. Mehrere dieser Datensätze lassen sich zu einer 3D-Auswertung kombinieren. Das System wurde an mehreren Testobjekten und Bauwerken erfolgreich erprobt. So konnte die fünf Meter dicke, sehr stark bewehrte Fundamentplatte des Fallturms auf dem BAM-Testgelände bei Horstwalde durchschallt werden. Ein zweites Beispiel ist die erfolgreiche Detektion von Spannkanälen in 1,8 m Tiefe in einem massiven Brückenbauwerk.
The LAUS: First Applications of a New System for Ultrasonic Imaging of Very Concrete Structures
(2019)
The LAUS (Large Aperture Ultrasonic System) has been developed to image very thick concrete structures, which are not accessible for commercial systems. The device and the corresponding software is the result of joint Research of BAM, an ultrasonic instrument manufacturer and University of Kassel, Germany. It consists of 12 separate Arrays of 32 point-contact shear wave transducers each, which can be deployed in flexible configurations. Each array is combined with battery and transmitter, receiver and wireless communication electronics.
Three case histories are presented. First the system was deployed on a 5-m thick heavily reinforced foundation slab.
The reflection of the slab’s bottom was imaged clearly. In addition, a multiple reflection was registered, thus giving hope that even thicker elements might be imaged by the instrument. Second, the LAUS was used to investigate a massive bridge girder where a heavy rainstorm during concreting had led to imperfections that were visible after removing the formwork was removed. The LAUS could image tendon ducts in 1.8m depth and the backwall closely behind them. Some limited areas showed blurred reflections and were checked by drill holes; these areas were affected by diffuse damage which could be repaired by injections. Third, a large retaining wall was checked for thickness.
Meanwhile, the LAUS has been used in underground waste deposits (nuclear and other) for quality assurance of sealing plugs. A confirmed penetration depth of about 7 m has been reached.
Die ZfP ist im Bauwesen bisher deutlich weniger reguliert (und auch akzeptiert) als in anderen Industriebereichen. Zum Beispiel gibt für die meisten Prüfverfahren weder Normen noch ein allgemein akzeptiertes Ausbildungs- und Zertifizierungssystem.
Dies hat auch Konsequenzen für die Digitalisierung. Im Gegensatz dazu wird im Bauwesen derzeit für viele Bereiche verbindlich ein neues Verfahren zur Unterstützung von Design, Planung, Herstellung und Betrieb eingeführt: BIM (Building Information Modeling). Der Vortrag beleuchtet das Spannungsfeld zwischen dem geringen Organisations- und Standardisierungsgrad und den neuen digitalen Möglichkeiten und stellt den neuen Arbeitskreis zur ZfP 4.0 im Bauwesen vor. Er beleuchtet auch, in welchen Bereichen die ZfP im Bauwesen von Entwicklungen aus „Industrie 4.0“ und der zerstörungsfreien Prüfung in anderen Anwendungsbereichen profitieren kann - z. B. bei Datenformaten, Datenarchivierung und Schnittstellen.
Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI), a method to evaluate subtle changes of elastic wave velocity in a medium, has been proven to be effective to detect small changes or ultrasonic velocity in concrete caused by load, temperature, moisture, damage or other means. While classical CWI is just able to determine velocity changes globally in relatively large areas between and around pairs of transmitters and receivers, several approaches have been proposed to identify the area affected by the changes more precisely. Most of them are based on the calculation of sensitivity kernels for de-correlation of signals measured at a specific state against a reference. Others follow simplified approaches. In a laboratory setup a concrete specimen of 1:5 x 1:5 x 0:5 m3 was compressed at a certain point. Maximum loads of 20 to 100 kN have been applied in 5 to 10 kN steps in various cycles. The specimen is equipped with 18 embedded ultrasonic broadband piezo transceivers (60 kHz central frequency). Ten of these receivers have been connected to a multiplexer and ultrasonic transmitting and receiving equipment in a way that allowed almost continuous two way measurements between all sensor pairs. Even simple ways to evaluate the data (e.g. crosscorrelation between signals at different load states) allowed pinpointing the load center at least approximately. A more detailed data evaluation either using CWI or even more one of the more sophisticated localization algorithms gave “sharper” results in terms of localization and a better correlation between load and velocity change/de-correlation. The results are used in upcoming monitoring systems for concrete structures.
Ultrasonic methods are used in concrete investigations since decades. While being limited to transmission testing in the laboratory for a while, in-situ echo measurements for structural investigations and condition assessment have made their way into practical application in the past 20 years. However, several challenges remain. On one side, there are technical issues as limitations in depth of penetration, resolution and imaging capabilities. On the other side there are still gaps in validation, standardization and certification, which are limiting the applicability in condition/load capacity assessment.
This review reports a couple of developments which will help to overcome these issues. This includes technical developments as new devices which are easier to handle on site or giving a much deeper penetration depth (e.g. the LAUS device at BAM) as well as improvements in imaging by hardware update (e. g. air coupled ultrasound or coded signals) or new software (e. g. RTM imaging). To foster the application in real world projects we are as well working on standardization by developing new reference specimen with international partners which will ensure world-wide comparability of ultrasonic and other methods and quality assurance codes. Further, non-destructive methods are being used to update probabilistic models used for the reassessment of existing structures to support the structural engineer’s decisions.
Ultraschall-Transmissionsmessungen werden seit Jahrzehnten bei der Qualitätssicherung von Betonkonstruktionen eingesetzt. Aus den Wellengeschwindigkeiten lassen sich dynamische Elastizitätsmoduln und – nach lokaler Kalibrierung – auch Druckfestigkeiten ermitteln. Zudem ergeben sich Hinweise auf Risse und andere Materialschwächungen. Der Einsatz erfolgt vor allem im Labor oder an der Bauwerksoberfläche. Neuerdings werden auch Monitoringsysteme mit eingebetteten Sensoren auf Ultraschallbasis erfolgreich getestet. Die Talsperre Eibenstock dient als größte Sperre in Sachsen der Trinkwasserversorgung und dem Hochwasserschutz. Hier wurden während der Bauphase im Jahr 1979 im Fußbereich des Mauerkörpers Ultraschallsensoren eingebracht, die in Verbindung mit einem Messoszilloskop eine Überwachung der Erhärtung des Mauerbetons ermöglichten.
Der für die Sensorauswahl eingesetzte Messstellenumschalter wurde im September 2011 grundlegend instand gesetzt. Danach zeigte sich, dass die eingebetteten Sensoren selbst sowie die Verkabelung auch nach über fünfunddreißig Jahren in einwandfreiem Zustand sind. Eine nunmehr aufgelegte Messserie mit modernem Gerät von über einem Jahr mit ein- bis zweimonatigen Intervallen zeigte, dass die Wellengeschwindigkeit seit der Bauphase noch einmal um gut 10 % zugenommen hat, was für eine erhöhte Druckfestigkeit spricht. Innerhalb des Jahres zeigten sich auch bei Einsatz neuer, sehr sensibler Auswertemethoden (sog. Codawelleninterferometrie) nur geringfügige Schwankungen. Diese waren auch nicht zu erwarten, da sich die Füllhöhe zu den Messzeitpunkten nur gering unterschied, die Temperatur im Bauwerksinneren nur wenig schwankte und der Bauwerkszustand sehr gut ist.
Die Aussagen zur Betongüte sind direkt vergleichbar mit den früheren Mess- und Untersuchungsergebnissen an der Talsperre Gottleuba, die im gleichen Zeitraum errichtet wurde und ebenfalls mit einem Ultraschallsystem ausgerüstet war. Die Experimente zeigten, dass ein Einsatz von Ultraschallsystemen für die Bauwerksüberwachung auch über Jahrzehnte möglich ist. Dies war im vorliegenden Fall nie geplant, aber durch den Einsatz der Mitarbeiter vor Ort und der Herstellerfirma möglich. Bei zukünftigen Systemen ist eine langfristige Planung unter Einbeziehung aller Beteiligten sowie eine Einbindung in Überwachungs- und Wartungspläne notwendig, damit die qualitätsgesichert gewonnen Daten gewinnbringend genutzt werden können.
Überschnittene Bohrpfahlwände sind eine bewährte
Konstruktionsmethode zur Herstellung tragender, hydraulisch dichter, tiefreichender
Wände im Spezialtiefbau. Anders als bei Einzelpfählen gibt es bisher für die
zerstörungsfreie Prüfung von Pfahlwänden keine etablierte Vorgehensweise. Erste
Versuche an Baustellen und Modellkörpern zeigten das Potential der
Ultraschallmethode (cross-hole sonic logging) zur Prüfung der Fugen über mehrere
Pfähle hinweg. An der Schleusenbaustelle Dörverden ergab sich die Möglichkeit,
das Verfahren unter Realbedingungen einzusetzen und die Ergebnisse visuell durch
Kernbohrungen und nach Aushub zu evaluieren. Dabei wurden die meisten der
prognostizierten Fehlstellen bestätigt. Die Resultate wurden in einer Neuauflage der
entsprechenden Regelwerke berücksichtigt.
Die B1 Brücke am Altstädter Bahnhof in Brandenburg an der Havel wurde im Dezember 2019 aufgrund von während einer turnusmäßigen Inspektion entdeckten Rissen und Hohlstellen entlang der vorgespannten Längsträger gesperrt und im Mai 2021 abgebrochen. In der Zwischenzeit wurde die Brücke detailliert überwacht. Vor dem Abriss wurden zudem umfangreiche Untersuchungen zur Bestandsaufnahme und Schadensanalyse sowie Tests moderner Sensorik vorgenommen. Dabei konnte sowohl die richtige, zuvor nicht sicher bekannte Anzahl von Spanngliedern in den Querträgern sicher ermittelt werden als auch durch moderne Varianten der Schwingungsmessungen und der faseroptischen Sensorik zusätzliche Kenntnisse püber das Bauwerksverhalten ermittelt werden . In dem Beitrag werden die Verfahren mit ihren Möglichkeiten und Grenzen vorgestellt, die Ergebnissee an der Brücke in Brandenburg erläutert und zukünftige Einsatzmöglichkeiten diskutiert.
Informationen zu in Betonbauteilen stattfindenden Umlagerungsprozessen sowie Druckspannungsverteilungen können mit konventioneller Messtechnik bislang nicht zweifelsfrei beantwortet werden. Ultraschallmessungen mit eingebetteten Sensoren könnten hier eine sinnvolle Ergänzung zur konventionellen Messtechnik sein. Durch Einsatz der Codawelleninterferometrie (CWI) sind hiermit schon sehr kleine Änderungen im Material detektierbar.
Um diese neue Methodik zu evaluieren, wurde das Forschungsprojekt „Querkrafttragfähigkeit von Spannbetonbrücken – Erfassung von Spannungszuständen in den Spannbetonversuchsträgern mit Ultraschallsensoren“ durch die Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (BASt) initiiert. In diesem Projekt wurden durch die Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und –prüfung (BAM) Ultraschall-Transducer in mehrere Spannbetonträger des Instituts für Massivbau der RWTH Aachen eingebettet, die anschließend bis zum Bruch belastet wurden.
Der Belastungsversuch an einem der Spannbetondurchlaufträger zeigte das große Potential dieser Methodik. Die im Netzwerk erfassten Änderungen der Ultraschallwellengeschwindigkeit geben die Spannungsverhältnisse im Längsschnitt des Trägers schon bei sehr niedrigen Belastungen qualitativ richtig wieder und zeigen bei hohen Belastungen eine gute Korrelation zum Rissbild. Dabei weisen räumliche Anomalien und Änderungen in der Charakteristik der Geschwindigkeitsänderungen oft schon auf Rissbildung hin, wenn diese noch nicht an der Oberfläche sichtbar ist. Dies zeigt das Potential im Hinblick auf eine Frühwarnung. Hierfür und ebenso in Bezug auf eine Quantifizierung der Effekte ist aber noch Entwicklungsarbeit notwendig. Ein Vorteil der Methodik ist, dass die Transducer nicht direkt am Ort der Änderung platziert werden müssen und einen relativ großen Bereich um die Transducer herum erfassen.
Muon tomography applied to assessment of concrete structures: First experiments and simulations.
(2022)
Non-destructive techniques for reinforced or prestressed concrete inspection such as ultrasound or radar have found regular, successful practical application but sometimes suffer from limited resolution and
accuracy, imaging artefacts or restrictions in detecting certain features. Until the 1980s X-ray transmission was used in case of special demands and showed a much better resolution than other NDT techniques.
However, due to safety concerns and cost issues, this method is almost never used anymore. Muon tomography has received much attention recently. Novel detectors for cosmic muons and tomographic imaging algorithms have opened new fields of application. As a first step towards practical application in civil engineering and as a proof of concept we used an existing system to image the interior of a reference reinforced 600 kg concrete block. Even with a yet not optimized setup for this kind of investigation, the muon imaging results are at least of similar quality compared to ultrasonic and radar imaging, potentially even better. In a second step, we have performed simulations to assess the potential for a set of important testing problems such as grouting defects in tendon ducts. The next steps include the development of mobile detectors and optimizing acquisition and imaging parameters.
Modern geophysical methods might be either directly applied to concrete structures or integrated into existing testing schemes to assist in quality assurance and inspections. This paper gives an overview on some ideas and developments from the author’s work:
• Vibrator technologies to improve pile integrity testing.
• Ideas from vertical seismic profiling used in multichannel pile inspection
• Cross- and downhole seismics to check the diameter of jet grouting columns
• Improving the parallel seismic methods for precise length measurement of piles and foundation walls
• Seismic migration methods to improve ultrasonic imaging of foundation slabs
• Seismological tools to monitor subtle changes in concrete constructions
The authors strongly believe that the cooperation between geophysics and civil engineering, which is obviously becoming stronger and stronger, will lead to a large number of innovative approaches.
Non Destructive Testing of Concrete Railway Tracks by Impulse Response and Impact Echo Techniques
(2003)
Im Rahmen der Lebensdauerverlängerung oder der Umnutzung von Bauwerken (z. B. Brücken, Bürogebäude oder Maste) müssen diese zum Teil neu bewertet werden. Dafür ist eine Nachrechnung für statische und dynamische Lastfälle erforderlich. Dies betrifft zum einen die Struktur selbst, die gegebenenfalls verstärkt werden muss. Aber auch die Gründung (oft Pfähle verschiedenster Typen) muss neu beurteilt werden. Nach mehreren Jahrzehnten sind jedoch für einige Bauwerke keine zuverlässigen Bestandsunterlagen verfügbar.
Eine vollständige Freilegung der Pfähle verbietet sich aus Kostengründen sowie Verlust an Widerstand gegen Zug. Lediglich der Pfahlanschluss kann visuell begutachtet werden, um Pfahlzahl, -typ und Durchmesser zu bestimmen. Für die Bestimmung der Pfahllänge müssen zerstörungsfreie Verfahren eingesetzt werden. In einer Machbarkeitsstudie wurden von den Autoren teils im Blindversuch drei Verfahren evaluiert: die klassische Pfahlintegritätsprüfung nach der Hammerschlagmethode, eine mehrkanalige Variante hierzu und das Parallel-Seismik-Verfahren. Die ersten beiden Methoden lieferten an den untersuchten Pfählen nur in Einzelfällen verwertbare Ergebnisse. Die Parallel-Seismik-Methode lieferte auch im Blindversuch an Fundamenten, bei denen die Pfahllänge dem Eigentümer bekannt war, Ergebnisse mit einer Abweichung von max. 0,5 m. Diese Toleranz lässt sich bei der Standfestigkeitsbeurteilung berücksichtigen. Die Mehrkosten des Verfahrens (anders als bei den anderen Verfahren wird ein verrohrtes Bohrloch im Boden nahe dem Pfahl benötigt) halten sich in Grenzen, wenn man es in die geotechnische Untersuchung integriert. Daher wurde es inzwischen auch in der Praxis eingesetzt. Auch liegen die Gesamtkosten für die Untersuchung deutlich unter denen für eventuell notwendigen Ersatz – oder Verstärkungsmaßnahmen, die notwendig werden, wenn keine Daten zur Pfahllänge verfügbar sind.
Der Vortrag erläutert die Ergebnisse der Machbarkeitsstudie, zeigt erste Praxisfälle und weist auf Möglichkeiten hin, das Parallel-Seismik Verfahren in Zukunft noch genauer und effizienter einzusetzen.
Die beiden in dieser Arbeit dargestellten Beispiele zeigen, dass sich die Low-strain-Pfahlintegritätsprüfung noch über den bisherigen, schon sehr erfolgreichen Stand hinaus entwickeln kann. Der Einsatz von Vibratortechnik und passender mathematischer Methoden bietet das Potential, Prüfungen auch unter bisher nicht lösbaren Randbedingungen durchzuführen. Dazu gehören sehr schlanke Pfähle und Messungen bei hohem Störpegel. Der erhöhte Mess- und Auswerteaufwand ist jedoch im Einzelfall gegenüber dem erzielbaren Erfolg abzugleichen. Apparativ müssen noch Entwicklungsarbeiten geleistet werden, um einen einfachen und zuverlässigen Einsatz in der Praxis zu ermöglichen. Die Messung mit mehreren Sensoren entlang des Pfahls kann schon heute in der Praxis eingesetzt werden. In vielen Fällen lassen sich damit auch Messungen an Pfählen im Bestand durchführen, bei denen die konventionelle Pfahlprüfung aufgrund von überlagernden Signalen aus der aufgehenden Struktur versagt.
Die Überwachung von Bauteilen aus Stahl- oder Spannbeton mit Ultraschall hat in Labor- und Technikumsversuchen schon vielversprechende Ergebnisse gezeigt. Besonders gute Resultate wurden dabei mit eingebetteten Ultraschalltrans-ducern und bei Auswertung der Daten mit der hochsensiblen Codawelleninterferometrie erzielt. Erfasst werden können neben Temperatur- und Feuchteeffekten auch Belastungszustände und jegliche Art von Schädigung, die mit Mikro- oder Makrorissbildung einhergeht.
Seit 2019 untersucht die DFG-Forschergruppe 2825 „CoDA“ (Sprecher: Prof. Christoph Gehlen, TU München) ver-schiedenste Aspekte dieser innovativen Technologie mit dem Ziel, Einflussgrößen quantitativ zu erfassen, Umweltein-flüsse zu korrigieren und 3D-Auswerteverfahren zu verbessern. Final soll eine am Bauwerk einsatzfähige Methode ent-stehen, die klassische Monitoringverfahren ergänzt und erweitert sowie Input zu einem Update des statischen Systems liefert.
Aufgaben der BAM in der Forschergruppe ist neben Verbesserung und Adaptierung der Messsystem und Sensorik auch Langzeitversuche an einem Großobjekt und Testinstallationen an Realbauwerken. Hierzu liegen erste Ergebnisse vor, die zeigen, dass die Technologie auch außerhalb des Labors einsatzfähig ist.
Two research institutes are currently evaluating dynamic pile load testing methods on bored piles in a sandy environment. A test site has been prepared, which ensures comparable conditions at all pile locations and provides detailed knowledge on soil and other boundary conditions. A detailed site investigation program was performed at a dedicated area on the BAM test site south of Berlin, Germany. Undisturbed soil samples have been collected from boreholes. In addition several CPTs and geophysical surveys have been performed. The site consists mainly of well graded, partly well compacted medium sands. But at depth an inhomogeneous gravel layer was detected in some parts of the site. This has led to a redesign of the test piles. They are now shorter than originally intended to avoid gravel layers at depth and to ensure that the drop weight available for dynamic test is capable to mobilize the required load.
BAW and BAM have performed a large scale comparison and calibration test on static and dynamic load capacity evaluation of bored piles in glacial sandy soil. The test was performed using eight piles at the BAM test site for technical safety at Horstwalde 50 km south of Berlin. The test area has been prepared and investigated in great detail using boreholes, cone penetration tests, pore pressure sensors and geophysical methods to assure controlled conditions for all piles and tests. The piles (10 m length, 0.9 m diameter) are mainly friction piles (low toe resistance) and have been checked by integrity testing. Five piles have been tested by five contractors using the dynamic method in a blind experiment, the other ones piles by static load and/or later on by the dynamic method. Some piles have been equipped with additional fibre optic Instrumentation which proved to be robust and helpful in interpreting the results of static, dynamic and integrity tests. We have experienced a deviation of the dynamic load test results gathered in the blind experiment from the static values of up to 20% in most cases, sometimes even up to 30%. This can be related to the known soil inhomogeneities, interpretation and modelling in CAPWAP and method inherent uncertainties. In cases where the static values were known by the testers for calibration, the deviations were significantly smaller. It has to be taken into account, that the two static load tests showed different results as well. Due to the low toe resistance, use of a big drop weight (11 tons) and large drop heights most piles suffered from cracking, which was clearly seen in follow up integrity tests and confirmed by excavation. The piles are available for further research.
Diaphragm walls are used to provide a stable and watertight confinement for the construction of tunnels, Underground railway stations, deep basements and other structures requiring deep excavations. Water seepage and soil loss through the joints have occurred on several occasions, causing extensive damage. This may have been due to uncontrolled concrete flow between the joints, unexpected geologic conditions or just poor workmanship.
Different ways of quality assurance are applied on construction sites. Most of them rely on recording Parameters of the construction equipment and conventional concrete quality control. In the frame of the EUREKA/ZIM project DiWaQ we have looked at several ways to perform non-destructive Quality control. Some methods are to be applied after excavation before concreting (phase 1); others after the wall is completed (phase 2).
For phase 1 we have used two different principles for checking the shape of the excavation, especially the joint to existing panels. A mechanical device which can be adapted to the excavating Equipment was developed; field tested and validated on test and construction sites. It is described in detail in another paper in the same volume. A sonar-based device with a 10 mm resolution has shown good performance in the lab, but is still under development.
For phase 2 different temperature sensors have been lowered into access holes to monitor the hydration heat developed during concrete curing. The same tubes can also be used to perform electromagnetic and ultrasonic crosshole measurements across or along joints to detect flaws.
Especially the ultrasonic method has shown promising results on Validation specimen at the BAM test site at Horstwalde, but limitations as well. Success substantially depended on the joint type, flaw size and distance of the sensors to the joint.
The propagation of ultrasonic waves in concrete is affected by its micro- and macro-structure, geometry and properties as well as external influences as stress, temperature or moisture. In addition, age and degradation have a strong influence. Therefore, Ultrasound has been used to monitor concrete samples and structures since decades. However, early applications using conventional techniques as time-of flight or changes in amplitudes have been limited to detect changes in a late stage close to serviceability or ultimate load states.
Around 2000, several new, more sensitive techniques adopted from geophysics or other field of material sciences have been introduced to research in ultrasonic monitoring of concrete. The most discussed methodologies are coda wave interferometry, a technique which allows to detect very subtle changes from repeated ultrasonic measurements. Nonlinear acoustic techniques help to identify e. g. cracks even in an inhomogeneous background. Both techniques can be combined.
This paper reviews methods and results achieved so far on the laboratory scale and with full scale models the directions for future research and application is given as well.
The parallel seismic method for foundation length measurement: useful also to check pile integrity?
(2012)
Ultraschallverfahren haben sich im Bauwesen in den letzten Jahren immer mehr in der Praxis etabliert. Echomessungen zur Geometriebestimmung sind Stand der Technik. In der Wissenschaft gibt es zahlreiche Ideen, die Messmethodik und die Auswertung weiter zu verbessern sowie den Einsatzbereich zu erweitern. Erste eingebettete Ultraschallsysteme zum Langzeitmonitoring sind installiert, Mehrkanalgeräte ermöglichen immer größere Aperturen und Eindringtiefen, verbesserte Abbildungsverfahren zeigen immer mehr Details. Zusätzlich lassen sich Verfahren aus der Geophysik adaptieren, die weiteren Fortschritt versprechen. Die Seismische Interferometrie dient klassisch dazu, Materialeigenschaften des Erduntergrundes mittels seismischer Wellen zu bestimmen. Derzeitige Anwendungsbereiche sind die Verbesserung seismischer Abbildungsverfahren, Interpolation seismischer Spuren (A-Scans), Bestimmung von Quellparametern oder die Eliminierung unerwünschter Signale in passiven und aktiven Experimenten, hauptsächlich durch Kreuzkorrelation und Bestimmung Greenscher Funktionen. Diese Techniken können auch auf Ultraschalldaten, die an Betonkonstruktionen erfasst wurden, angewendet werden. Moderne Abbildungsverfahren benötigen eine möglichst hohe A-Scan-Dichte und eine genaue Kenntnis des Quellsignals. Beides ist nicht unbedingt gegeben, z. B. wegen der physischen Größe der Sensoren und wechselnder Ankopplungsbedingungen. In simulierten und realen Experimenten wurden interferometrische Methoden zur Lösung dieser Aufgabenstellungen evaluiert. Es zeigt sich, dass fehlende A-Scans kinematisch korrekt interpoliert werden können, wenn ausreichend viele Sender- und Empfängerpositionen genutzt wurden. Amplituden und Signalform sind verändert, können aber durch adaptive Filterung angepasst werden. Die Quellsignalform kann mit hoher Genauigkeit rekonstruiert werden. Die Ergebnisse können potentiell zu einer Verbesserung der Abbildung des Inneren der untersuchten Objekte genutzt werden.
Modern geophysical methods might be either directly applied to foundations or integrated into existing testing schemes to assist in quality assurance and inspections. This paper gives an overview on available ideas and some more detailed examples from the author `s work including:
- Vibrator technologies to improve pile integrity testing.
- Ideas from vertical seismic profiling used in multichannel pile inspection
- Cross- and downhole seismics to check the diameter of jet grouting columns
- Improving the parallel seismic methods for precise length measurement of piles and foundation walls
- Seismic migration methods to improve ultrasonic imaging of foundation slabs
- Seismological tools to monitor subtle changes in concrete constructions
The author strongly believes that the cooperation between geophysics and civil engineering, which is obviously becoming stronger and stronger, will lead to a large number of innovative approaches for investigations tasks currently still unresolved. A lot of challenges and chances for science and technology are right here.
Numerous case histories show evidence that geophysical
methods are valuable tools for levee inspection and
monitoring. National and international standards and
recommendations recommend the use of geophysics for a
variety of tasks. However, in some cases reported have
been flaws missed or false indications given. Due to the
larger variety in type, size and construction of levees and
the even larger variety of potential tasks and targets the
success of geophysical surveys still pretty much depends on
the available budget and the experience and capabilities of
the clients and contractors involved.
It is strongly recommended that all relevant parties agree
on the detailed objectives of the survey, required accuracy
and reliability of the results and any follow up measures.
For the most common tasks more research and practical
work using techniques as POD (probability of detection),
which are well established in other fields of non-destructive testing, would be of benefit.
Parallel Seismic was introduced about four decades ago for foundation length estimation. As the borehole required by this test is in most cases more expensive than the test itself, the usage is limited so far. In addition the graphical Interpretation technique which is still state of the art tends to overestimate the length and neglects several geometrical Parameters. New Interpretation algorithms have been recently introduced rely on model based travel time curve Utting. They improve the accuracy and extend the maximum ränge (distance pile to borehole) of the method. Borehole or pile inclination as well as soil layering can be considered. If the location is properly chosen, several piles can be tested using a single borehole.
The capabilities and limitations of the methods have been tested using simulations and measurements at the BAM-TTS test site in Horstwalde south of Berlin and several commercial projects involving piles, pile secant walls and sheet piles. To improve the accuracy of the method as well as to provide additional Parameters to the geotechnical engineer it is recommended to use the borehole for Downhole Seismic measurements. Determination of compressional and shear wave velocities can be used to determine the dynamic elastic properties of the subsoil. The approach is evaluated again on the BAM-TTS test site. The affectivity of this kind of combiuation can be further enhanced by using a seismic cone.
Ultrasonic transmission measurements are used to monitor concrete elements mostly on a laboratory scale since decades. Recently, coda wave interferometry, a technique adapted from seismology, has been introduced to civil engineering experiments. It can be used to reveal subtle changes in concrete samples and even large construction elements without having a transducer directly at the location where the change is taking place. The methodology works best with embedded transducers to avoid coupling issues or excessive environmental influence. These transducers can be used for newly built and existing structures. Recently, large concrete beams have been equipped with a network of transducers and loaded until failure. Using code wave interferometry, it was possible to visualize stress fields and damaged areas. This paper gives an overview of the state of the art, recent results achieved at BAM and a task list for further results and development.
Ultraschall-Echo-Messungen dienen im Bauwesen zur Dickenbestimmung von Bauteilen sowie der Lokalisierung und Charakterisierung von Einbauteilen, Einlagerungen und anderen Inhomogenitäten. Zur Rekonstruktion werden bisher Abbildungsverfahren wie z.B. 3D-SAFT genutzt. Diese setzen aber voraus, dass direkte Reflexionen am Abbildungsobjekt erfolgen. Deshalb können keine zuverlässigen Aussagen über den Durchmesser von eingebauten Spannkanälen oder z. B. Seitenkanten von Objekten getroffen werden.
Ziel laufender Forschungsarbeiten ist es, die Abbildungsqualität zu verbessern.
Mit der aus der Geophysik stammenden Reverse Time Migration, die bereits häufig in der Erdölexploration genutzt wird, lassen sich auch steilere Strukturen über 70° abbilden und somit auch die Unterseite von Einbauten oder Stufen in Bauteilen darstellen.
Um die Leistungsfähigkeit des Algorithmus für die zerstörungsfreie Prüfung zu untersuchen, wurden verschiedene Simulationsrechnungen durchgeführt. Dabei wurden typische Prüfprobleme unterschiedlicher Komplexität zunächst in Polyamid nachgestellt. Die Schwerpunkte lagen bei der Darstellung senkrechter Grenzflächen und Hohlstellen. Die Rechnungen dienten neben der Evaluierung und Optimierung des Verfahrens auch der Planung von Experimenten an Probekörpern mit verschiedenen Einbauten.
Die Simulationsergebnisse wurden an einem dem synthetischen Modell entsprechenden Polyamidprobekörper überprüft, an dem rauscharme Ultraschalldaten aufgenommen werden konnten. In einer Messreihe wurde in den Probekörper eine Bohrung eingebracht und schrittweise vergrößert. Mit diesen Messungen konnte die Leistungsfähigkeit der Reverse Time Migration auch an realen Ultraschalldaten nachgewiesen werden. Untersuchungen mit an Beton aufgenommenen Ultraschalldaten werden folgen.
Entwicklung einer Bohrlochsonde für Ultraschalluntersuchungen an Abschlussbauwerken in Endlagern
(2021)
Für die Qualitätssicherung von Abschlusswerken für Endlager wird eine Ultraschall-Bohrlochsonde entwickelt. Mithilfe dieser Sonde, die aus einer Vielzahl von einzelnen koppelmittelfreien Ultraschall-Punktkontaktprüfköpfen besteht, soll die Rissfreiheit der Versuchsbauwerke überprüft werden.
Ein erster Prototyp der Sonde wurde mit einem kommerziellen Ultraschallgerät betrieben und bestand aus 12 Transversalwellen-Punktkontaktprüfköpfen von denen jeweils sechs als Sender und sechs als Empfänger parallelgeschaltet waren. Um den erzeugten Schalldruck der Bohrlochsonde zu steigern, wurde bei der Neuentwicklung die Prüfkopfanzahl erhöht und zusätzlich die laufzeitgesteuerte Anregung der einzelnen Prüfköpfe vorgesehen. Für die Anregung der Prüfköpfe mit programmierten Zeitverzögerungen wurde ein neuartiger mehrkanaliger Sender für bipolare Rechtecksignale entwickelt.
Durch die Entwicklung der Bohrlochsonde soll eine dynamische Anpassung der Prüfkopf-Apertur sowie eine Fokussierung des Schallfeldes in Abhängigkeit der zu untersuchenden Tiefe erfolgen. Mithilfe entsprechender Anregungsfunktionen kann das Schallfeld der Bohrlochsonde unterschiedlich geformt werden, z. B. ist auch ein Schwenken des fokussierten Schallbündels möglich. Dadurch wird das erfasste Prüfvolumen begrenzt und auf diese Weise das Signal-Störverhältnis der Empfangssignale verbessert. In Kombination mit SAFT-Rekonstruktionsrechnungen wird durch eine optimierte Abstrahlcharakteristik der Sonde mit einem hohen Schalldruck unter verschiedenen Winkeln eine verbesserte Signalqualität und damit eine erhöhte Aussagesicherheit der Ergebnisse in der Objektabbildung erwartet.
Jet grouting is a geotechnical method of ground improvement to increase shear strength and stiffness of soils. The method is typically used to construct in-situ geometries of grouted soil such as panels or columns. The diameter of grouted columns and its material strength depend on various process parameters and the subsurface soil properties. It is only vaguely possible to predict the final column diameter. Therefore, it is a general practice to excavate a test column and perform a visual examination. However, an excavation to control the in situ diameter is often impossible, especially under complex site conditions, such as a high ground water table. Therefore, as part of a research project, borehole seismic measurements (crosshole, downhole and tomography) were tested as a quality control to verify the extent of the column and to monitor the influence of the jet grout injection on the soil over time. The field surveys were conducted before and after the jet grouting process at different time intervals. The acquired seismic data show clear traveltime differences which allow the determination of the specific column depth and diameter. The tomogram measured in the natural soil and the tomograms of the measurements after the injection process were used to visualize the time dependent effects of the jet grout injection on the soil.
When reassessing existing concrete bridges, the challenge is often to obtain missing or incomplete information on the internal structure. In particular, the number and position of the existing reinforcement as well as the geometric dimensions of the components are of interest. Non-destructive testing methods, like radar or ultrasound, which work on the basis of the pulse-echo method, have been established for this purpose, as they only require access to the component from one side. The measurement data recorded on the structure require pre-processing to be able to reproduce the internal structure geometrically accurately. Besides different steps of data processing, the geometrical reconstruction of the measured data based on the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT) is state of the art today. In this paper, the technical possibilities of the ultrasonic echo method are presented based on measurements in the laboratory and on a real bridge structure. The precision of the reconstruction and its limitations are shown. In addition to the state of the art SAFT technique, open questions and the latest research approaches, such as imaging by reverse time migration (RTM) including initial results are discussed.
Existing concrete structures were usually designed for lifetimes of several decades. The current and urgently required efforts to increase sustainability and protect the environment will likely result in extended service lives up to 100 years. To achieve such objectives, it is required to assess structures over their entire lifecycles. Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods can reliably support the assessment of existing structures during the construction, operational, and decommissioning phases. One of the most important and safety-relevant components of a prestressed concrete structure are the tendons. NDT methods such as the ultrasonic echo method are suitable for both the detection and the localization of the tendons, i.e., the measurement of their geometrical position inside the component. The uniqueness of structures, concrete heterogeneity, and varying amounts of secondary components such as the reinforcement represent obstacles in the application of these methods in practice. The aim of this contribution is to demonstrate a practicable procedure, that can be used in the field to determine the parameters required for the measuring data analysis without extensive knowledge about the investigated components. For this purpose, a polyamide reference specimen is used to show which steps are required to obtain reliable imaging information on the position of tendons from the measurement data. The procedure is then demonstrated on a concrete test specimen that covers various relevant and practice-oriented test scenarios, such as varying tendon depths and component thicknesses.
The aim of this work is to improve the current structural health monitoring (SHM) methods for civil structures. A field experiment was carried out on a two-span bridge with a built-in un-bonded prestressing system. The bridge is a 24-metre long concrete beam resting on three bear-ings. Cracks were formed subsequently when a prestressing force of 350 kN was changed to 200 kN, so that different structural states could be demonstrated. The structural assessment of this reference bridge was accomplished by the non-destructive testing using ultrasonic devices and vibration measurements. The ultrasonic velocity variations were investigated by using the coda wave interferometry method. The seismic interferometry technique was applied to the vi-bration recordings to reconstruct the wave propagation field in the bridge. This investigation shows that the wave velocity is sensitive to the current structural state and can be considered as the damage indicator. Overall, the implementation of coda cave interferometry and seismic interferometry technique facilitates structural health monitoring (SHM) in civil engineering.
This contribution introduces an investigation of a large-scale prestressed concrete bridge model (“BLEIB” structure at the BAM-TTS open air test site) by means of on-site cooperative measurements. This bridge has an external post-tensioning system and has been instrumented with the ultrasonic transducers, temperature sensors and optical fibers for Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS). Our experiment was designed to test the suitability of the novel 6C sensors developed within the framework of the GIOTTO project – the IMU50. The IMU50 sensor enables vibration measurements in translation along three axes and rotation around three axes. The geophone sensors were considered for complementary measurements of vertical velocity response. In the experiment, several perturbations were achieved by controlling the external influence factors such as loading and prestressing changes. The aim of the integrated measurement strategy was to fully observe the results of the condition change and to verify the effectiveness of multiple sensors for bridge monitoring.
This study aims to develop a real time structural health monitoring method by ultrasonic tests combined with advanced six component (6C) translation and rotation measurements. Conventionally, the investigation of the velocity and acceleration response in the translation direction is used to obtain the eigenfrequencies of structures. Recently the measurement of rotation has been considered to fully characterize the dynamic behavior of structures. This research undertakes the evaluation of a novel 6C sensor (IMU50-iXblue) with components originally developed for navigation for the purpose of bridge monitoring. However, as for all vibration recordings, there is a certain influence of environmental conditions (mainly temperature) which may affect evaluation and the results of structural assessment. We propose applying the cross-correlation function to the 6C ambient vibration signals to reconstruct wave propagation and using coda wave interferometry (CWI) to obtain internal velocity variation from waveforms. A field experiment on a large-scale prestressed concrete bridge model is presented. To verify that we are able to identify the pre-stress loss even in presence of temperature effects, we perform measurements in two different scales: the ultrasonic and output-only, vibration measurements. The change in the structural properties due to the pre-stress loss should be detected by the pulse velocity change. The results reveal both the performance and advantages of ultrasonic techniques and the capabilities of 6C sensors. To conclude, the application of CWI to wave signals contributes to a comprehensive assessment for bridge monitoring.
Multi-sensory monitoring and ultrasound for quality assurance at underground sealing structures
(2023)
Within the safety concepts of underground disposal sites of nuclear waste, engineered barriers play an important role. As these sealing structures have high demands concerning integrity, we aim at advancing the available construction materials, monitoring, and inspection techniques within the project SealWasteSafe. A specifically developed alkali-activated material is compared to classical salt concrete. A comprehensive multi-sensory monitoring scheme is used at 150-340 l specimens to monitor setting and hardening of both materials. All sensors are demonstrated to resist the highly alkaline environments. Besides cabled and wireless temperature and humidity of the materials, strain variations using fibre optic sensors and acoustic emissions are recorded over periods of at least 28 days, partly for more than eight months. After hardening of the specimens, further nondestructive evaluations using ultrasonic echo and thermographic measurements are conducted.
Preliminary results proof the suitability of the tested sensors and clearly highlight differences between the tested materials. Particularly, the newly developed alkali-activated material shows lower acoustic emission activity indicating less cracking activity. Additionally, unique ultrasonic methods will enable better images of potential internal objects and cracks at in-situ sealing structures. A largescale ultrasonic system is optimised to reliably detect objects at a depth exceeding 9 m while still obtaining a good resolution. Modelling studies show the potential of further increasing the distance between individual transducer arrays. Additionally, a new ultrasonic borehole probe using phased arrays allowing for beam focussing is constructed and tested. Laboratory measurements at a halfcylindrical concrete specimen coincide well with the previous modelling. In total, the presented safe materials, detailed monitoring approaches and ultrasonic quality assurance methods will help to obtain safe sealing structures within salt as a host rock. The concepts can partly be transferred to sealing structures in alternative host rocks and will also be valuable for non-nuclear waste repositories.
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.
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.
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.
Charakterisierung von Feuchte- und Salzbelastungen in Baumaterial durch Impedanzspektroskopie
(2006)
Das Sorptionsverhalten und die Frost-Tau-Beständigkeit von Baustoffen hängen maßgeblich von ihrer Porengrößenverteilung ab. Ein zerstörungsfreies, räumlich visualisierendes Messverfahren, das diese
abschätzen könnte, wäre für die Bau- und Sanierungsindustrie sehr hilfreich. Scott und Barker (2003) berichteten über einen deutlichen Zusammenhang zwischen dominanter Porenhalsgröße und der SIP-Relaxationszeit an Sandsteinen. Diese Korrelation wird seit einiger Zeit für Baustoffe, insbesondere Sandsteine, an der BAM untersucht.
A toolbox with non-destructive testing methods for the condition assessment of railway bridges
(2006)
The unified economic structure of the European market requires a unified transport infrastructure to ensure seamless and barrierfree transportation of passengers and goods. The European commission is funding the European Integrated Project Sustainable Bridges to comply with future traffic demands. The main objective of the project is to reliably assess and upgrade the bridge infrastructure for the required increase of axle loads and transport volume. 32 Institutes from 12 countries develop unified procedures for the assessment and improvement of the existing railway bridge stock under the guidance and review of six major European railway companies.
Non destructive testing (NDT) is given a high priority. One of the work packages concentrates on the potential of advanced NDT-methods and creates a toolbox with advisable methods for the condition assessment of all types of railway bridges. Although NDT-methods are implemented in the quality assurance process in many industries, their application in the railway infrastructure is not common. Only a few countries have included selected NDT-methods into advanced condition assessment procedures for the management of their bridge stock.
This paper describes also current activities to enhance pulse-phase thermography, impulse-radar and acoustic methods. The advanced methods enable infrastructure owners to verify construction plans, to assess structures, repair and strengthening quality or to identify in-service damages. Latest development is an automated scanning system for combined acoustic and electromagnetic measurements. The results are then combined through data fusion techniques to further increase their value for the bridge owners.
Das Ultraschall-Echo-Verfahren ist ein klassisches Verfahren in der zerstörungsfreien Prüfung zur Bestimmung der Geometrie von Bauteilen. Die Prüfaufgaben beinhalten unter anderem die korrekte Dickenbestimmung der Baukörper sowie die Lokalisierung von Einbauteilen und Fehlstellen. Stand der Technik bei den Abbildungsverfahren ist die SAFT–Rekonstruktion (Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique). Diese Verfahrensfamilie hat Schwierigkeiten bei der Darstellung von steilen Grenzflächen und komplizierten Strukturen, wie beispielsweise Stufen oder Unterkanten von Hohlräumen und Hüllrohren. Als Alternative werden seit einiger Zeit geophysikalische Migrationsmethoden evaluiert. Am Beispiel eines Stahlbetonfundamentes mit verschiedenen Bewehrungsgehalten, unterschiedlichen Dicken sowie zwei Pfahlköpfen wurden die Kirchhoff-Migration und die Reverse-Time Migration (RTM) getestet. Die strahlenbasierte Kirchhoff-Migration arbeitet ähnlich wie die SAFT-Rekonstruktion. Die RTM basiert auf der vollständigen Wellengleichung.
In einem ersten Schritt wurden die Methoden an einem synthetischen, auf der akustischen Wellengleichung basierenden zweidimensionalem Modell getestet. Im zweiten Schritt wurden reale Messdaten, die mit Scherwellenprüfköpfen an der Fundamentplatte aufgenommen wurden, bearbeitet. Der Einsatz eines Scannersystems vereinfachte die Messungen. Die Experimente, die in diesem Manuskript vorgestellt werden, sind von bedeutendem Interesse für die Evaluierung geophysikalischer Migrationsmethoden an analogen Modellen.
Ein Vergleich der Migrationsergebnisse mit den bisherigen SAFT-Ergebnissen zeigt insbesondere für die RTM eine deutliche Verbesserung in der Abbildung der Bauteilgeometrie. Vertikale Kanten konnten dargestellt sowie die Lage und Struktur der Rückwände exakter reproduziert werden. Grenzen bestehen noch bei der Darstellung der Pfahlköpfe, da die von dem zylinderförmigen Pfahl kommenden Signale verrauscht sind. Ursachen dafür sind u.a. die Bewehrung, Randeffekte sowie Mehrfachreflexionen an dem Pfahlschaft.
To improve ultrasonic imaging of concrete structures, we transferred a seismic migration technique, the Reverse Time Migration (RTM), to non-destructive testing. A 2D elastic RTM algorithm was tested on synthetic ultrasonic echo data. Compared to the typically used synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) as well as our acoustic RTM algorithm, the presented elastic RTM results show an enhancement in imaging vertical reflectors and complex features inside the 2D numerical concrete model.
Ultrasonic echo testing is widely used in non-destructive testing in civil engineering to investigate concrete structures, to measure thickness, and to locate and characterise built-in components or inhomogeneities. Currently, synthetic aperture focusing techniques are mostly used for imaging. These algorithms are highly developed but have some limitations. For example, it is not possible to image the lower boundary of built-in components like tendon ducts or vertical reflectors. We adopted reverse time migration for non-destructive testing in civil engineering in order to improve the imaging of complicated structures in concrete. By using the entire wavefield, including waves reflected more than once, there are fewer limitations compared to synthetic aperture focusing technique algorithms. As a drawback, the required computation is significantly higher than that for the techniques currently used. Simulations for polyamide and concrete structures showed the potential for non-destructive testing. The simulations were followed by experiments at a polyamide specimen. Here, having acquired almost noise-free measurement data to test the algorithm, we were able to determine the shape and size of boreholes with sufficient accuracy. After these successful tests, we performed experiments at a reinforced concrete foundation slab. We obtained information from the data by reverse time migration, which was not accessible by traditional imaging. The imaging of the location and structure of the lower boundary of the concrete foundation slab was improved. Furthermore, vertical reflectors inside the slab were imaged clearly, and more flaws were found. It has been shown that reverse time migration is a step forward in ultrasonic testing in civil engineering.
Sealing and strengthening of the subsoil by injection is a major issue in the field of geotechnical engineering. This involves also jet grouting, which allows creating columns of grouted soil by eroding and mixing the in-situ soil with a thin cement suspension. A general difficulty of this method is to predict the column diameter and its material strength. Here, we present two-dimensional finite-difference numerical simulation results of a promising non-destructive quality assurance testing tool to evaluate the diameter of jet grout columns. This approach incorporates crosshole and downhole seismic measurements. Preliminary tests showed that this tool is applicable under real site conditions.
Recently, non-destructive testing in civil engineering (NDT-CE), in particular of concrete components, has successfully mastered the leap from research to practice. Several methods have been established for field inspections to determine the concrete cover of reinforcement or to estimate the compressive strength as well as other parameters related to the concrete material. In addition, the application of nondestructive testing is indispensable, if information about the inner structure - such as the location of rebars and tendon ducts or the damage-related condition assessment to detect grouting defects, honeycombs, delamination, or corrosion - is required. Besides the selection of a suitable NDT method and an appropriate inspection system, the reliability of the results depends largely on the person who applies the non-destructive inspection technique and evaluates the inspection results. To ensure a high quality of non-destructive concrete evaluation as well as to keep the uncertainty caused by the inspection personnel to a minimum, structured, consistent and regulated theoretical as well as practical training of inspection personnel is essential. To close this gap, the subcommittee of education (UA-A) within the committee for NDT-CE of the German Society for Nondestructive Testing (DGZfP) has been reactivated in 2018 to establish uniform training standards for nondestructive concrete inspections in the long term. The subcommittee consists of scientists, practitioners, authorities, and clients. So far, the national standard DIN 4871 “Non-destructive testing - Qualification and Certification of NDT personnel in Civil Engineering (NDT-CE)” was developed and is currently under review. This standard considers the civil-industry-specifics, for example, that standards for NDT of concrete, as well as related product standards with a few exceptions, still do not exist at the moment. Within this presentation, the concept, the connection to ISO 9712 and other standards as well as an overview of the developed German standard DIN 4871 will be presented.
Low strain pile integrity testing is an established method in QA of foundation piles. The technique is very effective and well accepted for larger flaws and length determination. It is part of standards and recommendations. Challenges exist for more complicated structures (e. g. pile walls, diaphragm walls, and pile under structures) and small flaws. Interpretation is subjective in many cases. Possible solutions, e.g. the use of vibrators instead of a hammer or application of several sensors instead of one have been proposed decades ago, but not used much in practice. In several projects we are working on the extension and optimizations of these ideas, based on input from other engineering disciplines. In the frame of the project PileInspect we are working with an international consortium on the use of vibrators instead of a hand held hammer. This allows the full control of input signals as well as the use of (semi)automatic classification routines from machine diagnosis. At BAM we are using a low cost vibrator and deconvolution routines to improve the results of classical low strain testing. In another project we are working on multichannel measurements with sensor placement along the pile axis. This can be used to determine the travel direction of certain waves (downwards or upwards) to improve the interpretation of measurements on piles below constructions or pile walls. The use of ideas adapted from geophysics („vertical seismic profiling“) are helpful. Both concepts are proven by simulations results and first field tests.
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.
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.
Time reversal techniques are used in ocean acoustics, medical imaging and non-destructive evaluation to backpropagate recorded signals to the source of origin. We demonstrate experimentally a technique which improves the temporal focus achieved at the source location. The experiment consists of propagating a signal from a transducer within a concrete block to a single receiver on the surface, and then applying time reversal or deconvolution to focus the energy back at the source location. The results show that we are able to generate a focus in time at the correct location. The proposed method is simple and proven to be robust. Additionally, its costs are negligible due to deconvolution being a preprocessing step to the recorded data. The technique can be applied for detailed investigation of the source mechanisms (e. g. cracks) but also for monitoring purposes.
At BAM a multi-sensor robot system BetoScan is used for the investigation of reinforced concrete floors affected by corrosion in parking garages.
Potential maps, as well as the distribution of concrete cover and moisture can be assessed simultaneously and data can be collected contactlessly. In order to evaluate the extent of degradation adequately and to divide the investigated structure into zones with defined damage classes, large data sets have to be collected and interpreted manually. Thus, to promote an efficient data evaluation framework, which could speed up and simplify the evaluation of large data sets, an unsupervised data fusion is of major interest. However, taking into account that collected data do not certainly coincide in space, a scattered data interpolation method should be applied prior data fusion.
In the paper, a case study involving a BetoScan data set acquired from a reinforced concrete floor of a parking garage in Germany is presented. The data set includes potential mapping, covermeter based on eddy current, as well as microwave moisture measurements. Among the examined methods for interpolation of scattered data, kriging shows to yield smooth interpolated data plots even in the case of very sparse data. In the post-processing step, the investigated structure is efficiently segmented into zones using clustering based data fusion methods, which prove to be robust enough also for handling noisy data. Based on the minimization of the XB validity index, an unsupervised selection of optimal segmentation into damage classes is derived.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) and infrared (IR) thermography techniques have been used in many civil engineering applications for the structural visualization and defect detection.
However, validation tests of the methods performance for the defection of defects in the nearsurface region with respect to the defects different material and depth below the surface are lacking. To overcome this, we performed GPR and IR thermography tests where the different material properties, shape and depth of defects were studied on concrete and the evaluation of seismic related damage propagation was assessed on stone masonry walls. The results showed that IR thermography, though being greatly affected by the presence of water in the specimen, outperformed GPR in the detection of defects very close to the surface. However, already at the depth of 3 cm and further up till almost 7.5 cm, the performance of GPR resembles the one of IR thermography for the detection of polystyrene (air) voids. On the plastered masonry walls, IR thermography could detect an air gap resulting from plaster delamination as small as 2 mm.
Moreover, structural cracking resulting from the induced lateral load could be detected at an early stage.
Advanced ultrasonic imaging for concrete: Alternative imaging conditions for reverse time migration
(2018)
Ultrasound echo is a widely used NDT technique for determining the internal geometry of structures. Reverse-time migration (RTM) has been recently introduced to NDT applications, as an imaging method for ultrasound data, to overcome some of the limitations (e.g. imaging steeply dipping reflector) experienced by the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT), the most commonly used imaging algorithm for these measurements.
The standard implementation of RTM also experiences some drawbacks caused by its imaging condition, which is based on the zero-lag of the cross-correlation between source and receiver wavefields and generates high-amplitude low-frequency artifacts. Three alternative imaging conditions, developed for seismic data applications, were tested for their ability to provide better images than the standard cross-correlation: illumination compensation, deconvolution and wavefield decomposition. A polyamide specimen was chosen for the simulation of a synthetic experiment and for real data acquisition. The migrations of both synthetic and real data were performed with the software Madagascar. The illumination imaging condition was able to reduce the low-frequency noise and had a good performance in terms of computing time. The deconvolution improved the resolution in the synthetic tests, but did not showed such benefit for the real experiments. Finally, as for the wavefield decomposition, although it presented some advantages in terms of attenuating the low-frequency noise and some unwanted reflections, it was not able to image the internal structure of the polyamide as well as the cross-correlation did. Suggestions on how to improve the cost-effectiveness of the implementation of the deconvolution and wavefield decomposition were presented, as well as possible investigations that could be carried out in the future, in order to obtain better results with those two imaging conditions.
A monitoring and surveillance system is a mandatory element to ensure that a radioactive waste disposal facility provides and meets the required level of safety during both its operational and closure periods. In this study an innovative approach for the identification and monitoring of the structural integrity of stored radioactive drums is presented. The activities were carried out in the context of the European Project PREDIS, whose goal is the development of a robust and reliable sensing technology for monitoring and long-term storage of radioactive waste packaging systems.
Specifically, the focus was set on the development of innovative and smart sensor technologies, non-destructive examination tools, and/or devices capable to improve the safety of the storage by minimizing the number of interventions of cemented waste packages. Both conventional and innovative techniques, such as muon-tomography, SiLiF neutron and SciFi gamma detection, or contactless and smart radio transceiver technology provided with radiation monitoring sensors, have been considered and adapted for the use under repository conditions. Indeed, gamma and neutron detection techniques exploit the radiological information coming from inside the drums, while imaging techniques proved to be effective in spotting high density objects embedded inside the concrete: together, they allow to improve safety and security and can provide an early alert on behavioral changes hinting at anomalies in the drums.
Condition assessment of old railway bridges, a scientific cooperation between Berlin and Wroclaw
(2009)
Two years ago, the East Prussian and the Low-Silesian Railway lines celebrated their 160th anniversaries. The history of both first railway connections in the Eastern railway network development in the whole region in the 19th century is presented together with information about the railway between Berlin and Wroclaw. Special attention is paid to the railway bridges built in this period. The first large iron bridges and typical masonry arch structures are presented. Special attention is paid to masonry arches. The condition appraisal of existing masonry arches requires new developed technical methodologies, effective tools and procedures for the description of the bridges current state and function. Their current technical condition as well as service-ability is described.
Implementation of soilcrete columns via jet grouting or deep soil mixing to stabilize problematic subsurface soils is common in underground construction. However, industry is faced with limited options to characterize column geometry and quality of the resulting soilcrete without excavation or destructive testing. Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted on simulated soilcrete columns using crosshole ultrasonic testing to evaluate the feasibility of acoustic tomography to characterize soilcrete geometry and quality. Data were acquired on multiple columns immediately after placement up to a curing time of 120 hours. Jet grout compressional wave velocity (VP) was estimated using a first arrival time approach and inverted to construct acoustic tomograms. Acoustic tomograms indicate that crosshole ultrasonic testing is able to characterize the changes in acoustic properties that result from jet-grout curing, locate contrasts between weaker/stronger regions in the jet grout, and estimate geometry of the column.
This paper summarizes the detailed planning of an evaluation project for dynamic load tests on bored piles in sandy soil. A test site had to be prepared, which ensures comparable conditions at all pile locations as well as a detailed knowledge on soil parameters and other boundary conditions. A detailed site investigation program was performed at a dedicated area on the BAM test site near Horstwalde south of Berlin, Germany. The site consists mainly of well graded, partly well compacted medium sands. A test program is designed that aims to give full responsibility for the testing performance to the operating consulting engineers. While each consultant is responsible for the testing of one of eight similar virgin piles, the test results will be compared to static load tests performed after the pile capacity analysis. The tests aim at a better understanding of the reliability of dynamic load tests and the necessary precautions for a good quality result.
The project "SealWasteSafe" of the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM, Berlin) deals with sealing structures applied for underground disposal of nuclear waste from two perspectives: (1) material improvement for application in sealing constructions and (2) feasibility study regarding multi-sensor approaches to ensure quality assurance and long-term monitoring.
One specimen of 150 l made of alkali-activated material, which was found innovative and suitable for sealing constructions based on preliminary laboratory studies, and, for comparison purpose, another one made of salt concrete, are manufactured with an integrated multi-sensory setup for quality assurance and long-term-monitoring. The specimens were left in their cast form and additionally thermally insulated to simulate the situation in the repository. The multi-sensory concept comprises RFID technology embedded in the specimens suppling material temperature and moisture measurements, integrated fibre optic sensing allowing strain measurement and acoustic emission testing for monitoring possible crack formation. Overall, the suitability and the functionality of the sensors embedded into and attached to strongly alkaline (pH > 13 for the AAM) and salt corrosive (NaCl) environment was proven for the first 672 h.
First temperature measurement based on RFID succeeded after 626 h for the alkali-activated material and after 192 h for the conventional salt concrete. Strain measurement based on distributed fibre optic sensing turned out the alkali-activated material with > 1 mm m-1 undergoing approximately twice the compression strain as the salt concrete with strains < 0.5 mm m-1. In contrast, the acoustic emission first and single hits representing crack formation in numbers, was found for alkali-activated material half of that detected at the salt concrete.
This contribution summarizes actual developments and draft fundamental teaching topics in the field of nondestructive testing in civil engineering (NDT-CE). It is based on the first memorandum on teaching and research in the field of NDT-CE at German speaking universities and provides an overview of the academic education and highlights possible focuses, especially in teaching but also takes into account noteworthy developments and topics in research in the field of NDT-CE.
Suggestions are given for the development and advancement of the teaching curricula in regards to a comprehensive and sound professional education of students in civil engineering and adjacent disciplines.
The process of ensuring reliability of NDT applications contains various aspects, such as determining the performance and probability of success, the uncertainty in measurement, the provision of clear and functional procedures and ensuring the correct application accordingly. Test specimens have become powerful elements in supporting many of these aspects. Within the committee for NDT in Civil Engineering (NDT-CE) of the German Society for Nondestructive Testing (DGZfP), the subcommittee on Quality Assurance (UA-QS) therefore addresses the design and the integration of test specimens in the quality assurance process. Depending on the specific purpose, the requirements on test specimens can vary significantly based on the defined simulated scenario. The most prominent purposes of test specimens might be seen in providing references for inspection systems in regard to function control, calibration and validation. Further aspects can be parametric studies, basic investigation of physical principles related to NDT or a simplified and therefore comprehensive demonstration of inspection concepts (e.g. for teaching purposes). The specific purpose of a test specimen dictates the requirements regarding its conception, including the exact design, the material or the fabrication accuracy and the conditioning. In the development of a general guideline by the UA-QS for application-specific procedures and their validation, the use of test specimens is addressed and specific concepts for the design of test specimens are made. This includes the analysis of the measurement process regarding any given application, deriving an adequate calibration approach for it and designing test specimens (calibration specimens) accordingly. Furthermore, it includes the validation of the procedure taking into account all conditions related to the specific application in the field. The validation requires a statistically sufficient number of trials. Thorough evaluation of each trial can only be established if the ground-truth is known. Therefore, test specimens providing a realistic but controlled simulation of the inspection problem are valuable and indispensable elements in the validation process. The requirement of being fully realistic will often not be possible to fulfill due to practical restrictions. Any aspect that cannot be included in the simulation realistically needs to be simulated conservatively. This again, requires a sufficient understanding of the inspection principle and technique to ensure conservativeness. Among other quality-assurance-related aspects, the UA-QS establishes concepts and guidelines regarding sound and efficient approaches for the specific purposes of test specimens. This subcommittee brings together representatives of different Groups along the entire value chain of NDT-CE, including researchers, practitioners, manufacturers and clients. They all work together in establishing a common understanding and level of quality assurance in the industry.
The field of non-destructive testing of civil structures (NDT-CE) has been continuously growing. Due to the complexity and diversity of civil constructions as well as the heterogeneity of concrete, specific standards or guidelines for the application of modern NDT-CE are still missing. The development of individual solutions is the current approach, which is just as challenging as it is common for NDT-CE.
With the increasing development and commercialization of NDT-CE technology, the group of practitioners is growing. To ensure a good level of quality in the industry, it appears necessary to establish adequate means.
Naturally, the performance of NDT-CE methods regarding a specific application is strongly dependent on choosing the most suitable inspection technique and applying it correctly, generally referred to as the inspection procedure in the field of NDT. There are well-defined guidelines regarding procedure documentation and handling in many fields of NDT (e.g. nuclear, aerospace or automotive) according to the high importance of procedures in assuring a successful and reliable application. For a long time, this has not always been the case with NDT-CE, which is still considered a unique discipline of NDT. Part of the reason for that might be the young development state of NDTCE, the heterogeneity of building materials like concrete, timber or masonry as a material and the diversity of civil structures. In consequence, NDT-CE procedure development is considered challenging.
Among other aspects, addressed in the subcommittee on Quality Assurance (UA-QS) within the committee for NDT-CE of the German Society for Nondestructive Testing (DGZfP), part of its work aims at establishing an adequate basis for NDT-CE procedure development. While some of the highly developed approaches from other industries are taken into consideration, they need to be analyzed regarding their suitability for NDT-CE and adapted accordingly. For a procedure to be as defined as possible, it needs to contain sufficient information, such as the scope and limitations regarding material, geometry and condition of the test object, inspection parameters, calibration, data acquisition, analysis criteria as well as requirements regarding the inspection personnel.
For a successful implementation in the field, it is important to define the specific procedure as precisely as possible. Despite the necessity of a great amount of information to be included, the procedure needs to be suitable for efficient field application.
The UA-QS is developing a guideline for NDT-CE procedures suitable for application in this field of NDT to ensure correct and reproducible application. To demonstrate and evaluate this concept, specific examples of procedures are also produced. In particular, the UA-QS has developed a procedure for the detection and positioning of tendon ducts using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). This procedure is tested regarding the practical applicability in a roundrobin on a defined type of reference test block.
Construction methods, environmental stressors, and aging factors are the main causes for defects of reinforced concrete in nuclear power plants (NPP). These defects are typically occurred as corrosion of reinforcement steel, delamination, cracks, malfunction of post-tensioning or steel composite systems etc. Some of the challenges for assessing the performance of these structures by nondestructive testing methods (NDT) are that the assessment could be performed only during the annual overhauls when testing is time-limited and uncertainty of the accuracy and reliability of the available NDT testing devices combined with the lack of the international uniformity of the methods used for NDT tests. To overcome these challenges, a mock-up wall representing a section of the concrete containment of the NPP was built. The mock-up wall included simulated defects, which mimic the most common types of defects in NPP concrete structures such as dimensional errors, honeycombing, delamination, defects adjacent to the steel liner and voids in grouted tendon ducts for the post-tensioned structures. This paper introduces the design and construction of the wall including the concrete properties, reinforcement, tendon ducts and the types of the simulated defects. The paper also introduces the NDT methods and techniques that are suitable for assessing the condition of the mock-up wall under the real environmental conditions. These techniques include mechanical methods as rebound hammer, ultrasonic and electromagnetic methods. This mock-up wall will enable to investigate reliably available NDT methods and experts’ skills providing also an important and very much need educational platform for future NDE experts.
The Infrastar training school provides lectures and hands-on training to Master and PhD students, early-stage researchers and (young) professionals on all aspects of asset management of civil infrastructures with respect to fatigue of materials. It is organized yearly since 2019 and up to 20 profiles are selected to attend the 3.5-day training.
A team of 7 teachers provides insight in multi-disciplinary and intersectoral basic concepts in three core fields, ranging from the design to the dismantling of the structures (bridges and wind turbines):
1. Monitoring and auscultation,
2. Structural and action models,
3. Reliability, risk and decision analyses.
Each year, a recognized expert is invited to deliver a keynote lecture to raise interest in a specific aspect of one of the fields covered. The presentation is recorded and published on the training school website.
Fatigue is one of the most prevalent issues, which directly influences the service life expectancy of concrete structures. Fatigue has been investigated for years for steel structures. However, recent findings suggest that concrete structures may also be significantly subjected to fatigue phenomena that could lead to premature failure of certain structural elements. To date, fatigue of reinforced concrete has been given little focus. Knowledge on the influence factors and durability/capacity effects on this material should be improved. Current technological means to measure fatigue in civil structures like bridges and wind turbines (both onshore and offshore) are outdated, imprecise and inappropriate.
Meanwhile, this topic has got much more attention as time-variant loading on concrete structures plays an increasing role, e.g. in bridges with increasing traffic and heavier trucks, and for wind turbines for renewable energy production, e.g. for offshore wind turbine support structures affected by wind and waves.
The European Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project INFRASTAR (Innovation and Networking for Fatigue and Reliability Analysis of Structures - Training for Assessment of Risk) provides research training for 12 PhD students. The project aims to improve knowledge for optimizing the design of new structures as well as for more realistic verification of structural safety and more accurate prediction of the remaining fatigue lifetime of existing concrete structures.
First, the INFRASTAR research framework is detailed. Then it will be exemplified through the presentation of the major results of the four PhD students involved in the work package dealing with auscultation and monitoring. This includes the development and improvement of Fiber Optics (FO) and Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI) for crack sizing and imagery, new sensor technologies and integration, information management, monitoring strategy for fatigue damage investigation and lifetime prediction.