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Klebeverbindungen sind aus vielen Anwendungen wie dem Leichtbau nicht mehr wegzudenken. Durch die Verklebung gleicher oder ungleicher Materialien entstehen viele Vorteile gegenüber konservativen Fügeverfahren. Jedoch stellen schwache Haftfestigkeiten eine sehr unbeliebte Fehlerart dar, die schlecht zu detektieren sind und zu einem frühzeitigen Versagen der Verklebung bei vergleichsweise geringen Belastungen führen können. Aufgrund hoher Sicherheits- und Qualitätsansprüche wird die Haftfestigkeit dieser Verbindungen jedoch noch immer zerstörend geprüft. Zufriedenstellende zerstörungsfreie Verfahren, um Haftfestigkeiten zu prüfen, sind nicht vorhanden und Thema gegenwärtiger Forschung. Ein Ansatz, der in diesem Projekt verfolgt wird, liegt in der Verwendung geführter Ultraschallwellen.
Hierzu wird anhand von Simulationen mittels der Scaled Boundary Finite Element Methode gezeigt, dass die gezielte Auswertung bestimmter Bereiche des Dispersionsdiagrams, den sogenannten vermiedenen Kreuzungen (engl. mode repulsion regions), eine Charakterisierung der Haftfestigkeiten zulassen könnten. Dies liegt darin begründet, dass die mittleren mechanischen Belastungen der Kleberschicht in diesen Bereichen ein lokales Maximum aufweisen und daher eine erhöhte Sensitivität auf Materialänderungen haben. Es wird gezeigt, wie sensitiv diese Bereiche auf Materialänderungen in der Klebergrenzschicht sind und welche potenziellen Fehlergrößen existieren.
NMR is becoming increasingly popular for the investigation of building materials as it is a non-invasive technology that does not require any sample preparation nor causes damage to the material. Depending on the specific application it can offer insights into properties like porosity and spatial saturation degree as well as pore structure. Moreover it enables the determination of moisture transport properties and the (re-)distribution of internal moisture into different reservoirs or chemical phases upon damage and curing. However, as yet most investigations were carried out using devices originally either designed for geophysical applications or the analysis of rather homogeneous small scale (< 10 mL) samples. This paper describes the capabilities of an NMR tomograph, which has been specifically optimized for the investigation of larger, heterogeneous building material samples (diameters of up to 72 mm, length of up to 700 mm) with a high flexibility due to interchangeable coils allowing for a high SNR and short echo times (50 - 80 m s).
For how trivial or provocative it can sound, the best neutron spectrometer in the world does not produce science and technology by itself. By definition of “Materials Science”, neutron scattering data on engineering materials must be used as a tool to understand, and even tailor, materials performance. In order for this to happen, neutron data need to be
1. Acquired under the most relevant condition possible
2. Coupled to other experimental techniques
3. Capitalized by means of proper simulations and data analysis
Point 1- calls for an intense use and the development of top-notch of in-situ techniques; Point 2- means that the sole use of neutron data will not lead to any solution of a global problem; All points above hint to the fact that access to neutron sources is not routine, and therefore it is imperative to search ways to make neutron data rentable and sustainable for the material science and industrial research community.
In this presentation, and based on two examples, we will show a couple of strategies to combine neutron data with other experiments, and with theoretical models to raise the validity of experiments to the level of problem-solving. As one might imagine, these are only a few among the almost infinite combinations possible to help improving material properties, performance, and safety, i.e., ripe for everyday use.
In plate-like structures, ultrasonic waves propagate as Lamb waves. Their use is important for many applications from non-destructive testing to structural health monitoring. Efficient simulation tools contribute to a significant value add e.g. in designing systems for these applications. Under which conditions an acceptable accuracy of these models with affordable computational costs can be achieved is an open question. Many of these applications include the usage of a plane wavefront, simulated in 2D crossesctional models to reduce complexity. In this contribution, a comparative case study between simulations and experiments is presented. The aim is to verify and compare a 2D cross-sectional model with experimental data. The experimental setup for this case study consists of an aluminum plate. A rectangular piezoelectric transducer is mounted for guided wave excitation. A laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) measures out-of-plane velocities on the plate. A 2D cross-sectional model based on the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method (SBFEM) is used to simulate the wave propagation of the experimental setup. The first data points near the transducer are used to fit the excitation tractions of the model, while additional points further away from the source are used to validate the model. The comparison between the recorded measurements and the simulated velocities shows a high degree of compatibility.
Wavefield measurements by a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer are generally carried out in a cartesian coordinate. As a piezoelectric transducer generates Lamb waves following radial paths, the use of a polar coordinate can be a suitable alternative to the use of a cartesian coordinate. Therefore, in the proposed method, using a single transducer placed on the center of the specimen, the measured wavefields are transformed into polar coordinates, making several identical radial line inspections from the center in a direction of incident waves. Taking advantage of the properties of the polar coordinates, a signal processing technique is proposed through a frequency-wavenumber filtering process in these coordinates. In this technique, by using proper filters, unwanted wave modes of the incident wave along with all reflected waves are filtered out. In addition, the conventional features of RMS and Euclidean distance are adapted for the polar coordinate system to image the bonded plate. The proposed signal processing and damage imaging are first introduced through a numerical simulation. Then, the performance of the proposed technique is presented by experimental measurements of two specimens including adhesively bonded carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composite plates and bonded aluminum plates.
The interest in using computer simulations of dimensional x-ray computed tomography (dXCT) for various metrological purposes—such as measurement planning, performance prediction, performance optimisation and, finally, measurement uncertainty estimation—is increasing along with the ever-growing demand for more reliable measurements with dXCT. However, before a piece of simulation software can be used for tasks related to coordinate metrology, it has to be ensured that it is able to simulate physical laws, characteristic effects and basic CT system functionalities correctly and with sufficient accuracy. In short, the software must be qualified for dimensional metrology tasks. As one part of such a qualification process, a method is presented here for determining conformity intervals of 2D tests (projection-based tests) based on 3D tests (testing based on dimensional evaluations in a reconstructed volume) for the assessment of dXCT simulation software. The method consists of varying relevant parameter values in order to verify their influence on 3D measurement results. The results of the 3D tests with varied parameter values are then transferred to the quantities tested in the 2D tests and used as the basis for determining conformity intervals. Two approaches are applied for determining whether or not a variation of a parameter value is significant: (a) statistical and (b) heuristic. Two examples are presented, each based on simulated images, which show the application of the two different approaches for determining conformity intervals for the results of the 2D tests.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a spectroscopic method for detecting the chemical composition of optically accessible surfaces. In principle, the measurement of all elements of the periodic table is possible. System calibrations allow the quantification of element concentrations. In combination with scanner systems, the two-dimensional element distribution can be determined. Even rough surfaces can be measured by online adjustment of the laser focus. To detect element ingress into the concrete, typically cores are taken, cut in half, and LIBS measurements are performed on the cross-section. The high spatial resolution as well as the simultaneous multi-element analysis enables a separate evaluation of the binder-matrix and aggregates. Therefore, the element concentrations can be determined directly related to the cement paste. LIBS measurements are applicable in the laboratory, on-site and also over a distance of several meters.
Common applications include the investigation of material deterioration due to the ingress of harmful ions and their interaction in porous building materials. LIBS is able to provide precise input parameters for simulation and modelling of the remaining lifetime of a structure. Besides the identification of materials, also their composition can be determined on hardened concrete, such as the type of cement or type of aggregate. This also involves the identification of environmentally hazardous elements contained in concrete. Another possible application is the detection of the composition of material flows during dismantling. Non-contact NDT for “difficult to assess” structures as an example application through safety glass or in combination with robotics and automation are also possible.
This work presents the state of the art concerning LIBS investigations on concrete by showing exemplary laboratory and on-site applications.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a spectroscopic method for the analysis of the chemical composition of sample materials. Generally, the measurement of all elements of the periodic table is possible. In particular, light elements such as H, Li, Be, S, C, O, N and halogens can be measured. Calibration with matrix-matching standards allows the quantification of element concentrations. In combination with scanner systems, the two-dimensional element distribution can be determined. Even rough surfaces can be measured by online adjustment of the laser focus. LIBS can also be used on-site with mobile systems. Hand-held systems are available for point measurements.
Common applications include the investigation of material deterioration due to the ingress of harmful ions and their interaction in porous building materials. Due to the high spatial resolution of LIBS and the consideration of the heterogeneity of concrete, the determination of precise input parameters for simulation and modelling of the remaining lifetime of a structure is possible. In addition to the identification of materials, it is also possible to assess the composition for example of hardened concrete, which involves the cement or aggregate type used. Other important fields of application are the detection of environmentally hazardous elements or the material classification for sorting heterogeneous material waste streams during dismantling. Non-contact NDT for “difficult to assess” structures as an example application through safety glass or in combination with robotics and automation are also possible.
In this work, an overview of LIBS investigations on concrete is given based on exemplary laboratory and on-site applications.
The electron density and temperature of a laser-induced plasma can be determined from the width and intensity of the spectral lines, provided that the corresponding optical transitions are optically thin. However, the lines in laser induced plasma are often self-absorbed. One of the methods of correction of this effect is based on the use of the Planck function and an iterative numerical calculation of the plasma temperature. In this study, the method is further explored and its inherent errors and limitations are evaluated. For this, synthetic spectra are used that fully correspond to the assumed conditions of a homogeneous isothermal plasma at local thermodynamic equilibrium. Based on the error analysis, the advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed in comparison with other methods of self-absorption correction.
The hard X-ray beamline BAMline at BESSY II (Berlin, Germany) has now been in service for 20 years. Several improvements have been implemented in this time, and this review provides an overview of the imaging methods available at the BAMline. Besides classic full-field synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (SXCT), also absorption edge CT, synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography (SXRR), and synchrotron X-ray refraction tomography (SXRCT) are used for imaging. Moreover, virtually any of those techniques are currently coupled in situ or operando with ancillary equipment such as load rigs, furnaces, or potentiostats. Each of the available techniques is explained and both the current and the potential usage are described with corresponding examples. The potential use is manifold, the examples cover organic materials, composite materials, energy-related materials, biological samples, and materials related to additive manufacturing. The article includes published examples as well as some unpublished applications.
The rails of modern railways face an enormous wear and tear from ever increasing train speeds and loads. This necessitates diligent non-destructive testing for defects of the entire railway system.
Non-destructive testing of rail tracks is carried out by rail inspection trains equipped with ultrasonic and eddy current test devices. However, the evaluation of the gathered data is mainly done manually with a strong focus on ultrasonic data, and defects are checked on-site using hand-held testing equipment. Maintenance measures are derived based on these on-site findings.
The aim of the AIFRI project (Artificial Intelligence For Rail Inspection) is to
- increase the degree of automation of the inspection process, from the evaluation of the data to the planning of maintenance measures,
- increase the accuracy of defect detection,
- automatically classify detected indications into risk classes.
These aims will be achieved by training a neural network for defect detection and classification. Since the current testing data is unbalanced, insufficiently labeled and largely unverified we will supplement fused, simulated eddy current and ultrasonic testing data in form of a configurable digital twin.
This dataset contains raw data acquired in ultrasound measurements on a reference specimen made of concrete at Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin (Germany). The internal specimen identifier is “Pk050”. The measurements were conducted using the pulse-echo method. The upper surface of the specimen was defined as measuring area. The aim of the measurements is to determine the geometrical dimensions (thickness) of the specimen “Pk050”. In addition to this, a dataset of a second specimen with identifier “Pk266” has been acquired. Pk266 has the same geometrical dimensions and concrete recipe as Pk050, but contains tendons [Reference: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/NUU0WZ].
This dataset contains raw data acquired in ultrasound measurements on a reference specimen made of concrete at Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin (Germany). The internal specimen identifier is “Pk266”. The measurements were conducted using the pulse-echo method. The upper surface of the specimen was defined as measuring area. The aim of the measurements is to determine both the geometrical dimensions (thickness) and the position of tendons to the measuring area. In addition to this, a second dataset of a second specimen with identifier is existing named “Pk050” has been acquired. Pk050 has the same geometrical dimensions and concrete recipe as Pk266 recipe but does not contain tendons [Reference: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/9EID5D].
"This data set contains three different data types obtained from concrete specimens. For each specimen, the rebound numbers, ultrasonic data (ultrasonic velocity, time of flight), and destructive concrete strength are given. Two kind of specimen geometries were tested: cubes and drilled cores. The files are labeled according to the specimen geometry as "cube" or "core" and the type of measurement data as "compressive_strength", "rn_R" and "rn_Q" for rebound numbers as well as "us" for ultrasonic data. The ultrasonic data were generated by six independent laboratories, the rebound numbers by five independent laboratories and the destructive tests by one laboratory. The designation of each specimen establishes the relationship between the different data types."
Non-destructive testing of rail tracks is carried out by using rail inspection cars equipped with ultrasonic and eddy current measurement. The evaluation of test data is mainly done manually, supported by a software tool which pre-selects relevant indications shown to the evaluators. The resulting indications have to be checked on-site using hand-held testing equipment. Maintenance interventions are then derived on the basis of these on-site findings.
Overall aim of the AIFRI (Artificial Intelligence For Rail Inspection) project - funded by the German Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) as part of the mFUND programme under funding code 19FS2014 – is to increase the degree of automation of the inspection process from the evaluation of the data to the planning of maintenance interventions. The accuracy of defect detection shall be increased by applying AI methods in order to enable an automated classification of detected indications into risk classes. For this purpose, data from both eddy current inspections and ultrasonic inspections will be used in combination.
Within the framework of this data-driven project, relevant defect patterns and artefacts present in the rail are analysed and implemented into a configurable digital twin. With the help of this digital twin virtual defects can be generated and used to train AI algorithms for detection and classification. With the help of reliability assessment trained AI algorithms will be evaluated with regard to the resulting quality in defect detection and characterisation.
A particular aspect of the development of AI methods is the data fusion of different NDT data sources: Thereby, synergies are used that arise from linking eddy current and ultrasonic inspection data in a combined model.
In the course of the project a demonstrator consisting of the developed IT-tool and an asset management system will be implemented and tested in the field using real-world data.
Two biopolyol-based foams derived from banana leaves (BL) or stems (BS) were produced, and their compression mechanical behavior and 3D microstructure were characterized. Traditional compression and in situ tests were performed during 3D image acquisition using X-ray microtomography. A methodology of image acquisition, processing, and analysis was developed to discriminate the foam cells and measure their numbers, volumes, and shapes along with the compression steps.
The two foams had similar compression behaviors, but the average cell volume was five times larger for the BS foam than the BL foam. It was also shown that the number of cells increased with increasing compression while the average cell volume decreased. Cell shapes were elongated and did not change with compression. A possible explanation for these characteristics was proposed based on the possibility of cell collapse. The developed methodology will facilitate a broader study of biopolyol-based foams intending to verify the possibility of using these foams as green alternatives to the typical petrol-based foams.
X-ray refraction is analogous to visible light deflection by matter; it occurs at boundaries between different media. The main difference between visible light and X-rays is that in the latter case deflection angles are very small, from a few seconds to a few minutes of arc (i.e., the refraction index n is near to 1). Trivially but importantly, deflection of X-rays is also sensitive to the orientation of the object boundaries. These features make X-ray refraction techniques extremely suitable to a) detect defects such as pores and microcracks and quantify their densities in bulk (not too heavy) materials, and b) evaluate porosity and particle properties such as orientation, size, and spatial distribution (by mapping). While X-ray refraction techniques cannot in general image single defects, their detectability is simply limited by the wavelength of the radiation.
We thereby show the application of X-ray refraction 2D mapping (topography) and tomography to different sorts of problems in materials science and technology: 1) Sintering of SiC green bodies; 2) Porosity analysis in additively manufactured alloys; 3) Fiber de-bonding in metal and polymer matrix composites.
Such techniques, especially at the Synchrotron BESSY II, Berlin, Germany, can be used in-situ, i.e. when the specimen is subjected to temperatures or external loads. Applications of in-situ X-ray refraction radiography on aluminum alloys and composites are also shown.
The use of X-ray refraction analysis yields quantitative information, which can be directly input in kinetics, mechanical and damage models.
Vortrag über die Berechnung von Messunsicherheiten und die POD-Analyse zur Aufbereitung von ZfP-Ergebnissen für die Zuverlässigkeitsbewertung bestehender Bauwerke.
Structural health monitoring techniques associate strongly with damage detection and characterization. Ultrasonic guided waves (UGW), for such scope, arise as one of the most promising methods for many reasons i.e. UGW are able to travel long distances and they have high sensitivity to damage. In this context, the necessity to model realistic wave-defect interaction occurs to be critical.
Realistic damage scenarios can be modeled through the usage of image-based quadtree meshes. Images, such as the outcome from X-ray scans, C-scans, etc., can be converted into meshes for further integration in a computational domain. Quadtree meshes are created by converting the intensity of the pixels to quadrilateral cells. Homogeneous regions inside one image result in one quad, whereas fine features such as discontinuities can be described with smaller quads.
This contribution proposes an efficient methodology to model wave defect interaction, using as a framework the scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) and quadtree meshes. Problems as non-conforming regions in the mesh due to the space tree decomposition can be easily avoided using SBFEM’s polygonal elements. Moreover, the semi-analytical nature of the SBFEM allows the modeling of arbitrarily long prismatic/undamaged regions of the waveguides without an increase in the computational burden.
Almost all building materials in civil engineering have an open porosity and interact with or are affected by the environmental conditions. Structures might suffer from effects such as moisture adsorption, carbonation, corrosion, penetration of salt ions and chemical substances, etc. In the hygroscopic range, these processes are mostly driven by diffusion. Due to the confinement of small pores (< 1 µm), the Knudsen effect reduces the molecular diffusion. This reduction can become more significant in case of temporal changing pore systems because of physisorption of water vapor, carbonation, or chemisorption.
In this study, unstabilised earth blocks and earth masonry are investigated. In a first step, the pore size distribution of the blocks is measured and sorption isotherms are recorded in experiments. Besides the ordinary physisorption, the involved clay minerals undergo swelling or shrinking due to chemisorption. The following two effects must be considered: first, the reduction of the available pore space by the adsorbed water layer. For this, the Hillerborg sorption theory is used, which is a combination of the well-known Brunauer-Emmett-Teller sorption theory and the Kelvin equation. This allows the computation of adsorbed water layers even in curved pore geometries. Second, the variation of the initial pore size distribution due to chemisorption needs to be modelled. Based on these two models, the effective diffusion coefficient can be predicted. For validation, arrays of relative humidity sensors were embedded into a free-standing earth masonry wall. This monitoring was carried out over more than a year to have a broad variety of environmental conditions and was located in Berlin, Germany.
The prediction of the effective diffusion coefficient can also be transferred to other processes and allows the investigation of materials having temporarily changing pore systems. Examples are the carbonation of cementitious materials, alkali silica reaction, calcium leaching of long-lasting structures, etc. This effect becomes most prominent in the meso-pore range and might alter the effective diffusion coefficient by more than 100 %.
Almost all building materials in civil engineering have an open porosity and interact with or are affected by the environmental conditions. Structures might suffer from effects such as moisture adsorption, carbonation, corrosion, penetration of salt ions and chemical substances, etc. In the hygroscopic range, these processes are mostly driven by diffusion. Due to the confinement of small pores ( 1 m), the Knudsen effect reduces the molecular diffusion. This reduction can become more significant in case of temporal changing pore systems because of physisorption of water vapor, carbonation, or chemisorption.
In this study, unstabilised earth blocks and earth masonry are investigated. In a first step, the pore size distribution of the blocks is measured and sorption isotherms are recorded in experiments. Besides the ordinary physisorption, the involved clay minerals undergo swelling or shrinking due to chemisorption. The following two effects must be considered: first, the reduction of the available pore space by the adsorbed water layer. For this, the Hillerborg sorption theory is used, which is a combination of the well-known Brunauer-Emmett-Teller sorption theory and the Kelvin equation. This allows the computation of adsorbed water layers even in curved pore geometries. Second, the variation of the initial pore size distribution due to chemisorption needs to be modelled. Based on these two models, the effective diffusion coefficient can be predicted. For validation, arrays of relative humidity sensors were embedded into a free-standing earth masonry wall. This monitoring was carried out over more than a year to have a broad variety of environmental conditions and was located in Berlin, Germany.
The prediction of the effective diffusion coefficient can also be transferred to other processes and allows the investigation of materials having temporarily changing pore systems. Examples are the carbonation of cementitious materials, alkali silica reaction, calcium leaching of long-lasting structures, etc. This effect becomes most prominent in the meso-pore range and might alter the effective diffusion coefficient by more than 100 %.
The greatest challenge when using deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) for automatic segmentation of microstructural X-ray computed tomography (XCT) data is the acquisition of sufficient and relevant data to train the working network. Traditionally, these have been attained by manually annotating a few slices for 2D DCNNs. However, complex multiphase microstructures would presumably be better segmented with 3D networks. However, manual segmentation labeling for 3D problems is prohibitive. In this work, we introduce a method for generating synthetic XCT data for a challenging six-phase Al–Si alloy composite reinforced with ceramic fibers and particles. Moreover, we propose certain data augmentations (brightness, contrast, noise, and blur), a special in-house designed deep convolutional neural network (Triple UNet), and a multi-view forwarding strategy to promote generalized learning from synthetic data and therefore achieve successful segmentations. We obtain an overall Dice score of 0.77. Lastly, we prove the detrimental effects of artifacts in the XCT data on achieving accurate segmentations when synthetic data are employed for training the DCNNs. The methods presented in this work are applicable to other materials and imaging techniques as well. Successful segmentation coupled with neural networks trained with synthetic data will accelerate scientific output.
Concrete structures experience severe damage during service, for example due to pitting corrosion of rebars caused by the ingress of chlorine (Cl) into the porous concrete structure. The ingress can be monitored using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), a recently introduced civil engineering technique used to detect Cl in concrete structures in addition to conventional wet chemistry methods. The key advantages of LIBS are high spatial resolution, which is important when analyzing heterogeneous concrete samples, as well as the almost complete absence of sample preparation. To assess LIBS as a reliable analytical method, its accuracy and robustness must be carefully tested. This paper presents the results of an interlaboratory comparison on the analysis of Cl in cement paste samples conducted by 12 laboratories in 10 countries. Two sets of samples were prepared with Cl content ranging from 0.06 to 1.95 wt% in the training set and 0.23–1.51 wt% in the test set, with additional variations in the type of cement and Cl source (salt type). The overall result shows that LIBS is suitable for the quantification of the studied samples: the average relative error was generally below 15%. The results demonstrate the true status quo of the LIBS method for this type of analysis, given that the laboratories were not instructed on how to perform the analysis or how to process the data.
This thesis investigates ultrasonic guided waves (GW) in multi-layered plates with the focus on higher order modes. The aim is to develop techniques for hybrid structures such as of adhesive bonds and composite pressure vessels (COPV) which are widely used in automotive and aerospace industries and are still challenging to inspect non-destructively. To be able to analyse GW, numerical methods and precise material properties are required. For this purpose, an efficient semi-analytical approach, the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method, is used. The material properties are inferred by a GW-based optimisation procedure and a sensitivity study is performed to demonstrate the influence of properties on GW. Then, an interesting feature, called mode repulsion, is investigated with respect to weak and strong adhesive bonds. The results show that the coupling between two layers influences the distance between coupled modes in a mode repulsion region, thus allowing for the characterisation of adhesive bonds. At next, wave-damage interaction is studied in the hybrid structure as of the COPV. Results show that the wave energy can be concentrated in a certain layer enabling damage localisation within different layers. Further investigations are carried out on the hybrid plate with an impact-induced damage. Two well-known wavenumber mapping techniques, which allow to quantify the damage in three dimensions, are implemented and their comparison is done for the first time.
In this work, we present a novel approach to photothermal super resolution based thermographic resolution of internal defects using two-dimensional pixel pattern-based active photothermal laser heating in conjunction with subsequent numerical reconstruction to achieve a high-resolution reconstruction of internal defect structures. With the proposed adoption of pixelated patterns generated using laser coupled high-power DLP projector technology the complexity for achieving true two-dimensional super resolution can be dramatically reduced taking a crucial step forward towards widespread practical viability. Furthermore, based on the latest developments in high-power DLP projectors, we present their first application for structured pulsed thermographic inspection of macroscopic metal samples. In addition, a forward solution to the underlying inverse problem is proposed along with an appropriate heuristic to find the regularization parameters necessary for the numerical inversion in a laboratory setting. This allows the generation of synthetic measurement data, opening the door for the application of machine learning based methods for future improvements towards full automation of the method. Finally, the proposed method is experimentally validated and shown to outperform several established conventional thermographic testing techniques while conservatively improving the required measurement times by a factor of 8 compared to currently available photothermal super resolution techniques.
The overview of the activity of Federal Institute for Material Research and Testing (BAM, Belin, Germany) in the field of additively manufacturing material characterization will be presented. The research of our group is focused on the 3D imaging of AM materials by means of X-ray Computed Tomography at the lab and at synchrotron, and the residual stress characterization by diffraction (nondestructive technique).
What is meant by ‘Micro Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation’? This was the central subject of debate in this Special Issue.
At present, sub-millimeter-size components or even assemblies are pervading the industrial and scientific world. Classic examples are electronic devices and watches (as well as parts thereof), but recent examples encompass additively manufactured lattice structures, stents, or other microparts. Moreover, most assemblies contain micro-components. Testing such components or their miniaturized parts would fit well within the topic of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation.
In all cases, performance and integrity testing, quality control, and dimensional tolerances need to be measured at the sub-millimeter level (ideally with a spatial resolution of about a micron); most of the time, such features and components are embedded in much larger assemblies, which also need to be taken into account. The solution to this dilemma (i.e. measuring large parts with high resolution) depends on the part and on the problem under consideration.
Another possible definition of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation can relate to the characterization of micro-features (e.g., the microstructure) in much larger specimens, such as damage in concrete cores or porosity in additively manufactured components. A further aspect is the use of microscopic probes to evaluate macroscopic properties. This is the case, for instance but not at all exclusively, in the use of diffraction techniques to determine macroscopic stress.
The splits between testing and characterization at the micro-level (or of micro parts) from one side and handling of macroscopic assemblies on the other represent a great challenge for many fields of materials characterization. On top of that, including the use of microscopic methods to test integrity would add a further level of complexity.
Imaging, mechanical testing, non-destructive testing, measurement of properties, structural health monitoring, and dimensional metrology all need to be re-defined if we want to cope with the multi-faceted topic of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation.
The challenge has already been accepted by the scientific and engineering communities for a while but is still far from being universally tackled. This Special Issue yields an interesting answer to the questions posed above. It presents the progress made and the different aspects of the challenge as well as at indicates the paths for the future of NDT&E.
Decades of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) for the quality assurance of concrete bridges revealed the necessity of developing procedures for building reference specimens for different defects. External objects have been widely used in specimen construction to represent defects. However, embedded materials can alter the actual defect characteristics, interrupting the NDE responses. This study proposes new approaches to fabricating reference specimens for reinforced concrete that feature substantial defects, including cracks, delamination, honeycombing and rebar corrosion, without external objects. As a result, realistic responses can be acquired to identify promising NDE methods for characterising actual deteriorations. The procedures were produced with the intent of being reproducible in any laboratory. Destructive and non-destructive testing methods were performed to verify the effectiveness of the processes in creating defects. This study provides research laboratories with techniques for
fabricating reference specimens for characterising defects and assessing the performance of NDE technologies.
Air-coupled ultrasound sensors have advantages over contact ultrasound sensors when a sample should not become contaminated or influenced by the couplant or the measurement has to be a fast and automated inline process. Thereby, air-coupled transducers must emit high-energy pulses due to the low air-to-solid power transmission ratios (10−3 to 10−8). Currently used resonant transducers trade bandwidth—a prerequisite for material parameter analysis—against pulse energy. Here we show that a combination of a non-resonant ultrasound emitter and a non-resonant detector enables the generation and detection of pulses that are both high in amplitude (130 dB) and bandwidth (2 µs pulse width). We further show an initial application: the detection of reflections inside of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic plate with thicknesses between 1.7 mm and 10 mm. As the sensors work contact-free, the time of flight and the period of the in-plate reflections are independent parameters. Hence, a variation of ultrasound velocity is distinguishable from a variation of plate thickness and both properties are determined simultaneously. The sensor combination is likely to find numerous industrial applications necessitating high automation capacity and opens possibilities for air-coupled, single-side ultrasonic inspection.
Etalon features in transmittance spectra of films arise due to the coherent superposition of waves caused by reflections multiple times at the inner film boundaries. The fringe maxima occur at i𝜆 = 2nd cos 𝜑 with i - being an integer, 𝜆 - the wavelength, d - the film thickness, 𝜑 - the angle of incidence in respect to the film normal and n - the refractive index of the film. It is obvious that such features can hinder the interpretation of absorption bands when fringe amplitude and period are in the same range as the expected bands.
This poster discusses the suitability of two optical methods for the THz spectral range applied to Fourier Transform Spectroscopy.
Etalon effects in THz transmittance spectra, either taken in time- domain or frequency-domain, often hamper or even hinder the interpretation of film properties. In this paper we discuss the transferability and applicability of spectroscopic methods typically employed in the near and mid infrared spectral range to eliminate the fringes in the transmittance spectra in the THz spectral range.
This study investigates the non-destructive detection of delaminations in concrete plates using non-contact laser ablation, instead of the conventional hammer excitation, as part of the impact echo method. We performed tests on five concrete specimens of different sizes, two of which contained artificial delaminations. A range of steel ball hammers was used as reference impulse sources, the responses of which were compared with wave excitation generated by a 7 ns pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with 150 mJ pulse energy. Signals were recorded by surface-mounted accelerometers and two contactless methods: microphones and a laser Doppler vibrometer. The laser generates frequencies across a broad range of frequencies (0 to 150 kHz) but with much less energy than the hammers' narrower frequency spectra; the laser pulse energy transferred into the specimen is 0.07 mJ, corresponding to about 0.5 ‰ of the impulse source energy. Because of this, the thick intact plates' characteristic thickness stretch resonance frequency can be reliably detected by the hammer excitations but not when using laser excitation. However, the laser can excite low-frequency flexural vibration modes over a shallow delamination at 3 cm depth. The low-frequency flexural vibration results are verified by numerical natural frequency analysis.
Understanding on how a machine learning model interprets data is a crucial step to verify its reliability and avoid overfitting. While the focus of the scientific community is nowadays orientated towards deep learning approaches, which are considered as black box approaches, this work presents a toolbox that is based on complementary methods of feature extraction and selection, where the classification decisions of the model are transparent and can be physically interpreted. On the example of guided wave benchmark data from the open guided waves platform, where delamination defects were simulated at multiple positions on a carbon fiber reinforced plastic plate under varying temperature conditions, the authors could identify suitable frequencies for further investigations and experiments. Furthermore, the authors presented a realistic validation scenario which ensures that the machine learning model learns global damage characteristics rather than position specific characteristics.
In general, wind turbines transform the kinetic energy of the wind into electric power. Thereby, the wind turbine blades are facing unsteady loads which are transferred to the hub to generate a rotation of the turbine’s axis. This brief introduction focuses on the aerodynamics of the blades and the corresponding loads. Starting with the basic flow field and loads of an airfoil, terms like stagnation point, boundary layer, Reynolds number, transition, and separation are introduced. For different geometries, lift and drag coefficient curves are discussed. Then, full wings will be considered, including their three-dimensional flow field due to wing tip vortices and crossflows. As a main source of increased loads, unsteady effects are explained in more detail such as gusts, tower passing, earth boundary layer crossing, free stream turbulences, yaw misalignment, etc. At the end, extra loads due to an oscillating free stream are introduced.
Uncertainty quantification of multimodal surface wave inversion using artificial neural networks
(2023)
An inversion of surface waves dispersion curves is a non-unique and ill-conditioned problem. The inversion result has a probabilistic nature, which becomes apparent when simultaneously restoring the shear wave (S-wave) velocity and layer thickness. Therefore, the problem of uncertainty quantification is relevant. Existing methods through deterministic or global optimization approaches of uncertainty quantification via posterior probability density (PPD) of the model parameters are not computationally efficient since they demand multiple solutions of the inverse problem. We present an alternative method based on a multi-layer fully connected artificial neural network (ANN). We improve the current uni-modal approach, which is known from publications, to multi-modal inversion. The learned ANN maps the phase velocity dispersion curves to values of the S-wave velocity and layers thickness. To estimate the uncertainties, we adapt the Monte-Carlo simulation strategy and project onto the resulting velocity model both frequency-dependent data noise and inverse operator errors, which are evaluated by the prediction of the training data set. The proposed combination of surface waves data processing methods, configured with each other, provides a novel surface waves multi-modal dispersion data inversion and uncertainty quantification approach. We first test our approach on synthetic experiments for various velocity models: a positive velocity gradient, a low-velocity layer and a high-velocity layer. This is done considering uni-modal inversion at first and then compared to the multi-modal inversion. Afterwards, we apply our approach to field data and compare resulting models with the body S-wave processing by the generalized reciprocal method (GRM). The experiments show high-potential results using ANN yields the possibility to accurately estimate PPD of restored model parameters without a significant computational effort. The PPD-based comparison demonstrates advantages of a multi-modal inversion over uni-modal inversion. The trained ANN provides reasonable model parameters predictions and related uncertainties in real-time.
In order to detect small and hidden material defects or micro-cracks, weak and localized magnetic stray fields need to be detected and characterized on the magnetic surface. Current flux leakage sensor elements are rigid and rely on air gaps to detect stray fields several hundred micrometers above the surface. Furthermore, the increasing complexity of critical components, enabled by novel fabrication technologies, primarily additive manufacturing, poses a significant challenge to the available flux leakage testing technologies.
The emergence of flexible magneto-electronics paves the way to a compliant form of magnetic sensors that, on one hand, are able to adapt to highly curved surfaces, allowing these measurements to be conducted on irregularly formed components, which are inaccessible for nowadays electromagnetic NDT equipment and, on the other hand, could enhance the detection limit for small magnetic stray fields, by allowing the magneto-sensitive elements to approximate the object’s surface until only a few µm, mediated by thin and flexible packaging.
In ultrasonic testing, the time of flight (ToF) of a signal can be used to infer material and structural properties of a test item. In dispersive media, extracting the bulk wave velocity from a received signal is challenging as the waveform changes along its path of propagation. When using signal features such as the first peak or the envelope maximum, the calculated velocity changes with the propagation distance. This does not occur when picking the signal onset. Borrowing from seismology, researchers used the Akaike information criterion (AIC) picker to automatically obtain onset times. In addition to being dependent on arbitrarily set parameters, the AIC picker assumes no prior knowledge of the spectral properties of the signal. This is unnecessary in ultrasonic through-transmission testing, where the signal spectrum is known to differ significantly from noise. In this contribution, a novel parameter-free onset picker is proposed, that is based on a spectral entropy criterion (SEC) to model the signal using the AIC framework. Synthetic and experimental data are used to compare the performance of SEC and AIC pickers, showing an improved accuracy for densely sampled data.
The aim of this work is to achieve reliable nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of adhesively bonded aerospace components by developing novel multidimensional data fusion techniques, which would combine the information obtained by ultrasonic and X-ray NDE methods. Separately, both NDE techniques have their advantages and limitations. The integration of data obtained from pulse echo immersion ultrasound testing and radiography holds immense potential to help improve the reliability of non-destructive evaluation. In this study, distinctive features obtained from single techniques, traditional ultrasonic pulse echo testing, and radiography, as well as fused images, were investigated and the suitability of these distinctive features and fusion techniques for improving the probability of defect detection was evaluated. For this purpose, aluminum single lap joints with brass inclusions were analyzed using ultrasound pulse echo and radiography techniques. The distinctive features were extracted from the data obtained, and images of features obtained by both techniques were fused together. Different combinations of features and fusion algorithms were investigated, considering the desire to automate data evaluation in the future.
Validation of novel ultrasonic phased array borehole probe by using simulation and measurement
(2022)
Low-frequency ultrasonic testing is a well-established non-destructive testing (NDT) method in civil engineering for material characterization and the localization of cracks, reinforcing bars and delamination. A novel ultrasonic borehole probe is developed for in situ quality assurance of sealing structures in radioactive waste repositories using existing research boreholes. The aim is to examine the sealing structures made of salt concrete for any possible cracks and delamination and to localize built-in components. A prototype has been developed using 12 individual horizontal dry point contact (DPC) shear wave transducers separated by equidistant transmitter/receiver arrays. The probe is equipped with a commercially available portable ultrasonic flaw detector used in the NDT civil engineering industry. To increase the sound pressure generated, the number of transducers in the novel probe is increased to 32 transducers. In addition, the timed excitation of each transducer directs a focused beam of sound to a specific angle and distance based on the previously calculated delay time. This narrows the sensitivity of test volume and improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signals. In this paper, the newly designed phased array borehole probe is validated by beam computation in the CIVA software and experimental investigations on a half-cylindrical test specimen to investigate the directional characteristics. In combination with geophysical reconstruction methods, it is expected that an optimised radiation pattern of the probe will improve the signal quality and thus increase the reliability of the imaging results. This is an important consideration for the construction of safe sealing structures for the safe disposal of radioactive or toxic waste.
In this study, we explored the detection of weak bonds (WBs) due to contamination and faulty curing (FC) using linear ultrasound and machine learning. For this purpose, aluminium single-lap adhesive joints containing three variants of bonding quality were investigated: perfect bond, WB due to release agent (RA) contamination, and WB due to FC. The data, according to the deviation of the bonding protocol, were arranged in two groups, creating two datasets: distinct and complete. Each dataset included all bonding conditions (perfect, RA, and FC), although the distinct dataset contained only marginal cases, which were expected to be well separable, whereas the complete dataset included data with minor deviations from the bonding protocol. Pulse-echo C-scan images were acquired for all prepared samples in the immersion tank, and 45 features were initially extracted from the time traces representing each bonding group. The initial data were analysed via a t-test and pairwise correlation analysis to reveal statistically significant features. Then, we performed dimensionality reduction using tree-based, recursive, sequential, and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) feature selectors to explore feature importance and classification accuracy with different feature subsets. Finally, the important features identified with the different feature selectors were fed to support vector machine (SVM) classifiers, and the classification accuracies were compared amongst the different feature subsets. The classification accuracy using a distinct dataset in some cases demonstrated nearly 99% accuracy, indicating that significant bonding protocol deviations could be easily detected. It was demonstrated that classification accuracy increased with the number of features. However, even in the case of the 2D feature space obtained using linear discriminant analysis, the bonding quality classification accuracy remained higher than 84%. The feature subspace reduction with LDA demonstrated sufficient classification accuracy and an improvement of nearly 40% in training time compared with that for the initial feature set. Thus, the classical ultrasonic pulse-echo C-scan with an LDA feature transformation and SVM classifier could be used to identify the deviations in the bonding protocol in aluminium single-lap adhesive joints.
A recent upgrade of key equipment of the BAMline widens its imaging capabilities: shorter scan acquisition times are now possible, in situ and operando studies can now be routinely performed, and different energy spectra can easily be set up. In fact, the upgraded double-multilayer monochromator brings full flexibility by yielding different energy spectra to optimize flux and energy resolution as desired.
Geführte Ultraschallwellen sind für die Materialcharakterisierung hervorragend geeignet, da ihr Ausbreitungsverhalten abhängig von den Materialeigenschaften des untersuchten Werkstoffs ist.
Um aus dem messtechnisch ermittelten Ausbreitungsverhalten geführter Ultraschallwellen Rückschlüsse auf die Materialparameter zu ziehen, werden in der aktuellen Forschung verschiedene inverse Methoden diskutiert. Dispersionsabbildungen im Frequenz-Wellenzahl-Bereich repräsentieren das Ausbreitungsverhalten geführter Ultraschallwellen. Maschinelles Lernen und insbesondere Convolutional-Neural-Networks (CNNs) sind eine Möglichkeit der automatisierten inversen Bestimmung der Materialparameter aus den Dispersionsabbildungen.
In diesem Beitrag wird anhand synthetischer Daten gezeigt, wie das Ausbreitungsverhalten von geführten Ultraschallwellen unter Verwendung von CNNs und Dispersionsabbildungen genutzt werden kann, um die elastischen Konstanten einer isotropen plattenförmigen Struktur zu bestimmen. Anhand dieses Beispiels wird das generelle Vorgehen zur Anwendung maschineller neuronaler Lernverfahren aufgezeigt. Hierfür werden die verwendeten Daten analysiert, das Preprocessing erläutert und eine einfache CNN-Architektur gewählt. Im Rahmen der Auswertung wird insbesondere Wert auf die Erklärbarkeit und Zuverlässigkeit des verwendeten CNNs gelegt und so Grenzen und Möglichkeiten aufgezeigt.
In non-destructive testing and structural health monitoring with ultrasonic waves, the quantification of damage in components is one of the main tasks. In many shell-like structures, such as plates, pipes, or laminate components, ultrasonic waves propagate as guided waves. Although guided waves enable the testing of large areas, their multimodal and dispersive properties make it challenging to analyze signals. So, there is a need for more advanced algorithms to handle these properties, especially when reconstructing damage position and geometry.
The reconstruction can be formulated as an inverse problem where the measured signals are fitted with a simulative forward model. Due to the small wavelength of ultrasonic waves, classic forward models based on, e.g., the Finite Element Method are computationally intensive. In contrast, the authors use the semi-analytical Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method (SBFEM) to reduce the computational effort. The SBFEM approximates arbitrary long, undamaged parts of the structure with only a few degrees of freedom.
This contribution summarizes a general inverse procedure based on algorithmic differentiation in combination with the SBFEM. Results are presented for damaged 2D cross-sectional models of waveguides. These results include an analysis of the robustness of the proposed algorithms against noise.
This paper considers an indirect measurement approach to reconstruct a defect in a two-dimensional waveguide model for a non-destructive ultrasonic inspection via derivative-based optimization. The propagation of the mechanical waves is simulated by the scaled boundary finite element method that builds on a semi-analytical approach. The simulated data are then fitted to given data associated with the reflected waves from a defect which is to be reconstructed. For this purpose, we apply an iteratively regularized Gauss-Newton method in combination with algorithmic differentiation to provide the required derivative information accurately and efficiently. We present numerical results for three kinds of defects, namely, a crack, delamination, and corrosion. The objective function and the properties of the reconstruction method are investigated. The examples show that the parameterization of the defect can be reconstructed efficiently as well as robustly in the presence of noise.
LIBS is a complementary method to XRF and can detect all elements without the need for vacuum conditions. Automated systems are already commercially available capable of scanning surfaces with a resolution of up to 0.1 mm within a few minutes. In addition to possible applications in R&D, LIBS is also used for practical applications in building materials laboratories and even on-site.
In view of ageing infrastructure facilities, a reliable assessment of the condition of concrete structures is of increasing interest. For concrete structures, the ingress of potential harmful ions is affecting the serviceability and eventually structural performance. Pitting corrosion induced by penetrating chlorides is the dominant deterioration mechanism. Condition assessment based on frequently performed chloride profiling can be useful to identify the extent and evolution of chloride ingress. This could prove to be more economical than extensive repairs, especially for important infrastructure facilities.
Currently the most common procedure for determining the chloride content is wet chemical analysis with standard resolution of 10 mm. The heterogeneity is not considered. LIBS is an economical alternative for determining the chloride content at depth intervals of 1 mm or less. It provides 2D distributions of multiple elements and can locate spots with higher concentrations. The results are directly correlated to the mass of binder and can also be performed on-site with a mobile LIBS-System.
The application of a LIBS-system is presented. Calibration is required for quantitative analysis. Concrete cores were drilled, sliced and analyzed to determine the 2D-distribution of harmful elements. By comparing the chloride ingress and the carbonation, the interaction of both processes can be visualized in a measurement that takes less than 10 minutes for a 50 mm x 100 mm drill core.
A leaflet on the use of LIBS for the chloride ingress assessment has been completed.
Due to the ageing of the infrastructure facilities, a reliable assessment of the condition of concrete structures is of great interest to plan timely and appropriate measures. In concrete structures, pittingcorrosion of the reinforcement is the predominant deterioration mechanism affecting serviceability and eventually structural performance. Determination of quantitative chloride ingress is not only necessary to obtain valuable information on the current condition of a structure, but the data obtained can also be used to predict future developments and the associated risks. An overview of the progress and the possibilities of the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for concrete analysis in daily civil engineering practice is given. High-resolution 2D measurements of drill cores to determine the penetration of harmful species into concrete is presented. Furthermore, the application of a mobile LIBS system in a parking garage is shown. The system consists of a diode-pumped low-energy laser (3 mJ, 1.5 ns, 100 Hz) and a compact NIR spectrometer. A scanner allows two-dimensional element mapping. Progress towards the establishment of LIBS in a leaflet for the analysis of chlorine ingress into concrete in civil engineering is presented.
The main application of LIBS in civil engineering is the detection of harmful ions in concrete, which can penetrate the component through the porous concrete structure. The advantages of LIBS over standard methods are the possibility of multi-element analysis, measurement speed, spatially resolved measurements, and minimal sample preparation. The spatially resolved measurements of LIBS allow the assessment of the heterogeneity of the concrete by measuring separately the chemical composition of the aggregates and the binder matrix. The latter is particularly relevant because the determined elemental distribution can be directly related to the binder matrix. This is not possible with standard methods, since the material is homogenized to powder during sample preparation stage and the determined concentration is thus related to the total mass. In addition to the use of LIBS for the specific analysis of individual harmful ions, LIBS can also be used to estimate the concrete composition and thus determine, for example, the type of cement used. Corresponding information are relevant for the estimation of the remaining service life and for the preparation of a maintenance concept. In recent years, LIBS has been increasingly used in civil engineering. Currently, however, it is primarily used in research institutions and only occasionally in building materials laboratories. Special commercial devices have also been developed, which greatly simplify the application due to the high degree of automation. Mobile LIBS systems allow on-site application. A central point, which limits the use of LIBS in the commercial sector, is the lack of norms and standards. Therefore, within the framework of a project funded by the German government, work has been carried out on the preparation of a leaflet on quantitative chlorine determination in concrete, which will be published this year. In interlaboratory comparisons the robustness and accuracy for the practical application was demonstrated. LIBS also has great potential in the recycling of construction waste in conjunction with hyperspectral sensors. This issue is currently being addressed in a national project. During the presentation, the state of the art of LIBS in civil engineering will be presented, next steps will be discussed, and future challenges will be outlined.
In X-ray computed tomography (XCT), an X-ray beam of intensity I0 is transmitted through an object and its attenuated intensity I is measured when it exits the object. The attenuation of the beam depends on the attenuation coefficients along its path. The attenuation coefficients provide information about the structure and composition of the object and can be determined through mathematical operations that are referred to as reconstruction. The standard reconstruction algorithms are based on the filtered backprojection (FBP) of the measured data. While these algorithms are fast and relatively simple, they do not always succeed in computing a precise reconstruction, especially from under-sampled data. Alternatively, an image or volume can be reconstructed by solving a system of linear equations. Typically, the system of equations is too large to be solved but its solution can be approximated by iterative methods, such as the Simultaneous Iterative Reconstruction Technique (SIRT) and the Conjugate Gradient Least Squares (CGLS). This dissertation focuses on the development of a novel iterative algorithm, the Direct Iterative Reconstruction of Computed Tomography Trajectories (DIRECTT). After its reconstruction principle is explained, its performance is assessed for real parallel- and cone-beam CT (including under-sampled) data and compared to that of other established algorithms. Finally, it is demonstrated how the shape of the measured object can be modelled into DIRECTT to achieve even better reconstruction results.
Vertebrate bones are made of a nanocomposite consisting of water, mineral and organics. Water helps bone material withstand mechanical stress and participates in sensation of external loads. Water diffusion across vertebrae of medaka (bone material lacking osteocytes) and zebrafish (bone material containing osteocytes) was compared using neutron tomography. Samples were measured both wet and following immersion in deuterated-water (D2O). By quantifying H+ exchange and mutual alignment with X-ray lCT scans, the amount of water expelled from complete vertebra was determined. The findings revealed that anosteocytic bone material is almost twice as amenable to D2O diffusion and H2O exchange, and that unexpectedly, far more water is retained in osteocytic zebrafish bone. Diffusion in osteocytic bones (only 33 % – 39 % water expelled) is therefore restricted as compared to anosteocytic bone (~ 60 % of water expelled), presumably because water flow is confined to the lacunar-canalicular network (LCN) open-pore system. Histology and Raman spectroscopy showed that anosteocytic bone contains less proteoglycans than osteocytic bone. These findings identify a previously unknown functional difference between the two bone materials. Therefore, this study proposes that osteocytic bone retains water, aided by non-collagenous proteins, which contribute to its poroelastic mechano-transduction of water flow confined inside the LCN porosity.
Hydration is the exothermic reaction between anhydrous cement and water, which forms the solid cement matrix of concrete. Being able to evaluate the hydration is of high interest for the use of both conventional and more climate-friendly building materials. The experimental monitoring is based on temperature or moisture measurements. The first needs adiabatic conditions, which can only be achieved in laboratory. The latter is often measured comparing the weight of the material sample before and after oven drying, which is time-consuming. This study investigates the moisture content of two cement-based and two calcium sulphate based mixtures for the first 90 days by using the calcium carbide method and oven drying at 40 °C and 105 °C (Darr method). Thereby, the amount of chemically bound water is determined to derive the degree of hydration. The calcium carbide measurements highly coincide with oven drying at 40 °C. The calcium carbide method is therefore evaluated as a suitable alternative to the time-consuming Darr drying. The prompt results are seen as a remarkable advantage and can be obtained easily in laboratory as well as in the field.
In this study, the concept of a zero mass flow liner is evaluated. The concept enables impedance control by theinduction of, acoustically actuated, periodic bias flowthrough the facing sheet of the liner. Bymeans of the periodic bias flow, the impedance of the liner is adapted to different grazing flowconditions.The equivalent fluid impedancemodel for perforated plates is modified to account for the effects of periodic bias and grazing flow. A generally applicable optimization routine, using the impedance of the lined surface as a boundary condition in a numeric calculation, is implemented. Based on the results of the optimization, a zero mass flow liner is manufactured and evaluated experimentally. The damping characteristics are assessed in the form of dissipated energy along the lined surface.
Prediction and measurements show reasonable agreement. The zero mass flow liner delivers broadband dissipation of high peak value over a range of grazing flow Mach numbers. Under grazing flow, the effect of periodic bias flow is reduced. For a ratio of grazing to bias flow velocities larger than five, no appreciable effect is found. This poses considerable energy requirements on the actuation source for the application in high-Mach-number flow regimes.
The formation of irregularities such as keyhole porosity pose a major challenge to the manufacturing of metal parts by laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M). In-situ thermography as a process monitoring technique shows promising potential in this manner since it is able to extract the thermal history of the part which is closely related to the formation of irregularities. In this study, we investigate the utilization of machine learning algorithms to detect keyhole porosity on the base of thermographic features. Here, as a referential technique, x-ray micro computed tomography is utilized to determine the part's porosity. An enhanced preprocessing workflow inspired by the physics of the keyhole irregularity formation is presented in combination with a customized model architecture. Furthermore, experiments were performed to clarify the role of important parameters of the preprocessing workflow for the task of defect detection . Based on the results, future demands on irregularity prediction in PBF-LB/M are derived.
The appearance of irregularities such as keyhole porosity is a major challenge for the production of metal parts by laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M). The utilization of thermographic in-situ monitoring is a promising approach to extract the thermal history which is closely related to the formation of irregularities. In this study, we investigate the utilization of convolutional neural networks to predict keyhole porosity based on thermographic features. Here, the porosity information calculated from an x-ray micro computed tomography scan is used as reference. Feature engineering is performed to enable the model to learn the complex physical characteristics of the porosity formation. The model is examined with regard to the choice of hyperparameters, the significance of thermal features and characteristics of the data acquisition. Based on the results, future demands on irregularity prediction in PBF-LB/M are derived.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To complement the information provided by deterministic seismic imaging at length scales above a certain resolution limit we present the first application of adjoint envelope tomography (AET) to experimental data. AET uses the full envelopes of seismic records including scattered coda waves to obtain information about the distribution of absorption and small-scale heterogeneity which provide complementary information about the investigated medium. Being below the resolution limit this small-scale structure cannot be resolved by conventional tomography but still affects wave propagation by attenuating ballistic waves and generating scattered waves. Using ultrasound data from embedded sensors in a meter-sized concrete specimen we image the distribution of absorption and heterogeneity expressed by the intrinsic quality factor Q−1 and the fluctuation strength ɛ that characterizes the strength of the heterogeneity. The forward problem is solved by modeling the 2-D multiple nonisotropic scattering in an acoustic medium with spatially variable heterogeneity and attenuation using the Monte-Carlo method. Gradients for the model updates are obtained by convolution with the back-propagated envelope misfit using the adjoint formalism in analogy to full waveform inversion.
We use a late coda time window to invert for absorption and an earlier time window to infer the distribution of heterogeneity. The results successfully locate an area of salt oncrete with increased scattering and concentric anomalies of intrinsic attenuation. The resolution test shows that the recovered anomalies constitute reasonable representations of internal structure of the specimen.
This guideline was drafted following and complementing the norm ISO 22232-2:2020(E) to include air-coupled ultrasonic transducers. This document specifies the characteristics of probes used for non-destructive air-coupled ultrasonic testing with center frequencies above 20 kHz, with focusing or without focusing means.
Because of its mobility and ability to investigate exposed surfaces, single-sided (SiS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology enables new application fields in geosciences. To test and assess its corresponding potential, we compare longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) data measured by SiS NMR with those of conventional geoscientific laboratory NMR. We use reference sandstone samples covering a broad range of pore sizes. Our study demonstrates that the lower signal-to-noise ratio of SiS NMR data generally tends to slightly overestimated widths of relaxation time distributions and consequently pore size distributions. While SiS and conventional NMR produce very similar T1 relaxation data, unbiased SiS NMR results for T2 measurements can only be expected for fine material, i.e. clayey or silty sediments and soils with main relaxation times below 0.05s. This limit is given by the diffusion relaxation rate due to the gradient in the primary magnetic field associated with the SiS NMR. Above that limit, i.e. for coarse material, the relaxation data is strongly attenuated. If considering the diffusion relaxation time of 0.2 s in the numerical data inversion process, the information content >0.2s is blurred over a range larger than that of conventional NMR. However, our results show that principle range and magnitudes of the relaxation time distributions are reconstructed to some extent. Regarding these findings, SiS NMR can be helpful to solve geoscientific issues, e.g. to assess the hydro-mechanical properties of the walls of underground facilities or to provide local soil moisture data sets for calibrating indirect remote techniques on the regional scale. The greatest opportunity provided by the SiS NMR technology is the acquisition of profile relaxation data for rocks with significant bedding structures at the µm scale. With this unique feature, SiS NMR can support the understanding and modeling of hydraulic and diffusional anisotropy behavior of sedimentary rocks.
In this work, synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography (SXRR) was combined with in-situ heat treatment to monitor microstructure and porosity evolution as a function of temperature. The investigated material was a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) manufactured AlSi10Mg, where the initial eutectic Si network is known to break down into larger particles with increasing temperature. Such alloy is also prone to thermally induced porosity (TIP). We show that SXRR allows detecting the changes in the Si-phase morphology upon heating, while this is currently possible only using scanning electron microscopy. SXRR also allows observing the growth of pores, usually studied via X-ray computed tomography, but on much smaller fields-of-view. Our results show the great potential of in-situ SXRR as a tool to gain in-depth knowledge of the susceptibility of any material to thermally induced damage and/or microstructure evolution over statistically relevant volumes.
X-ray refraction is an excellent tool for the characterization of the microstructure of materials. However, there are only a few (synchrotron) laboratories in the world that use this technique for material characterisation. Therefore, the seminar will first explain the basic principles of X-ray refraction and the measurement techniques installed at the hard X-ray beamline BAMline at BESSY II (Berlin, Germany). This is followed by examples of investigations on fibre-reinforced plastic composites (CFRP) as well as ceramic (Cordierite, ZrO2-SiO2) and metallic materials (Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel). Some of the investigations were carried out both ex-situ and in-situ under mechanical and thermal load. The results are correlated with the mechanical properties of the materials.
The availability of high-performance Al alloys in AM is limited due to difficulties in printability, requiring both the development of synergetic material and AM process to mitigate problems such as solidification cracking during laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The goal of this work was to investigate the failure mechanism in a LPBF 7017 Aluminium alloy + 3 wt% Zr + 0.5 wt% TiC. The processing leads to different categories of Zr-rich inclusions, precipitates and defects.
The rising popularity of additive manufacturing processes leads to an increased interest in possibilities and methods for related process monitoring. Such methods ensure improved process quality and increase the understanding of the manufacturing process, which in turn is the basis for stable component quality, e.g., required in the aerospace industry or in the medical sector. For laser powder bed fusion, a handful of process monitoring tools already exist, such as optical tomography, thermography, pyrometry, imaging, or laser power monitoring. Although these tools provide helpful information about the process, more information is required for an accurate in-depth understanding. In this article, advanced approaches in eddy current testing (ET) are combined, such as single wire excitation, magnetoresistive (MR) sensor arrays, and heterodyning to build up a system that can be used for online process monitoring of laser powder bed fusion. In addition to detailed information about the developed ET system and underlying signal processing, the first results of magnetoresistance-basedonline ET during the laser powder fusion process are presented. While producing a step-shaped cuboid, each layer is tested during recoating.
Test results show that not only the contours of the topmost layer are detected but also the contours of previous layers covered by powder. At an excitation frequency of 1 MHz, a penetration depth of approx. 400 μm is obtained. To highlight the possibilities of ET for online process monitoring of laser powder bed fusion, results are compared with postexposure images of the integrated layer control system (LCS).
The majority of ultrasonic devices used for non-
destructive testing in civil engineering require contact with the
surface of the concrete (specimen), which significantly increases
the time required for the measurement. This makes it impractical
for extensive investigation of large-scale structures such as bridge
decks, foundations, or tunnels.
In a pioneering approach, fluidic oscillators are used as contact
free ultrasonic sources to overcome the aforementioned limi-
tations. These robust and cost-effective actuators require only
pressurised air and are ideally suited for harsh environments. At
a constant supply pressure, they generate a continuous mono-
frequent actuation signal. Further, varying the supply pressure
via a fast pressure regulator was found to generate a frequency
modulated signal which enabled time-of-flight measurement with
an added advantage of increased signal to noise ratio. To
demonstrate the feasibility of this novel idea of non-contact
ultrasound, the results of the initial tests are presented.
The majority of ultrasonic devices used for non-destructive testing in civil engineering require contact with the surface of the concrete (specimen), which significantly increases the time required for the measurement. This makes it impractical for extensive investigation of large-scale structures such as bridge decks, foundations, or tunnels.
In a pioneering approach, fluidic oscillators are used as contact
free ultrasonic sources to overcome the aforementioned limitations. These robust and cost-effective actuators require only pressurised air and are ideally suited for harsh environments. At a constant supply pressure, they generate a continuous monofrequent actuation signal. Further, varying the supply pressure via a fast pressure regulator was found to generate a frequency modulated signal which enabled time-of-flight measurement with an added advantage of increased signal to noise ratio. To demonstrate the feasibility of this novel idea of non-contact ultrasound, the results of the initial tests are presented.
The majority of ultrasonic devices used for non-destructive testing in civil engineering require contact with the surface of the concrete (specimen), which significantly increases the time required for the measurement. This makes it impractical for extensive investigation of large-scale structures such as bridge decks, foundations, or tunnels.
In a pioneering approach, fluidic oscillators are used as contact free ultrasonic sources to overcome the aforementioned limitations. These robust and cost-effective actuators require only pressurised air and are ideally suited for harsh environments. At a constant supply pressure, they generate a continuous mono-frequent actuation signal. Further, varying the supply pressure via a fast pressure regulator was found to generate a frequency modulated signal which enabled time-of-flight measurement with an added advantage of increased signal to noise ratio. To demonstrate the feasibility of this novel idea of non-contact ultrasound, the results of the initial tests are presented.
Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy – A Tool for Imaging the Chemical Composition of Concrete
(2022)
One of the most common causes of damage is the ingress of harmful ions into the concrete, which can lead to deterioration processes and affect structural performance. Therefore, the increasingly aging infrastructure is regularly inspected to assess durability. Regular chemical analysis can be useful to determine the extent and evolution of ion ingress and to intervene in a timely manner. This could prove more economical than extensive repairs for major damage, particularly for critical infrastructure. In addition to already established elemental analysis techniques in civil engineering such as potentiometric titration or X-ray fluorescence analysis, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) can provide further important complementary information and benefits. The possibilities of LIBS are demonstrated using the example of a drill core taken from a parking garage.
One of the most common causes of damage is the ingress of harmful ions into the concrete, which can lead to deterioration processes and affect structural performance. Therefore, the increasingly aging infrastructure is regularly inspected to assess durability. Regular chemical analysis can be useful to determine the extent and evolution of ion ingress and to intervene in a timely manner. This could prove more economical than extensive repairs for major damage, particularly for critical infrastructure. In addition to already established elemental analysis techniques in civil engineering such as potentiometric titration or X-ray fluorescence analysis, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) can provide further important complementary information and benefits. The possibilities of LIBS are demonstrated using the example of a drill core taken from a parking garage.
Whereas human factors (HF) in the non-destructive testing (NDT) of metallic components are a poorly investigated topic (in comparison to other industrial fields such as aviation), HF in the inspection of concrete components are even less known. Studies have shown that there is always some variability between individuals in their inspection results and that HF affect the reliability of NDT inspections. The aim of the ongoing WIPANO project is to draft a standard for a holistic reliability assessment, with concrete inspection as one case study. This includes also the HF. A human-oriented Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) was carried out to do the following: a) identify possible human-related risks in tunnel inspection processes using a laser scan method (including data collection,evaluation, and assessment of tunnel damage) and b) evaluate these human-related risks as regards their possible causes, consequences and probability of occurrence – in addition with respect to existing and possible preventive measures. The results show that the causes for possible failures can lie within people, the physical environment, technology, organisation, and extra-organisational environment. Whereas current preventive measures rely mostly on the individual and quality management practices, there is potential for even larger improvement at the organisational and extra-organisational level. The FMEA results were also used to develop a quantification method to further understand the HF in tunnel inspection, which could possibly be included in the information into the overall reliability assessment. The usage of qualitative and quantitative data collected through the human-FMEA within the proposed quantification method shows promise that HF can be quantified and could offer broader understanding of HF influences on inspection in various industries
Visually detecting irregularities on components is a complex process, influenced by physical, technical, and human factors. Current standards mainly focus on illuminance, demanding highest accuracy for it, without providing scientific justification. In this research, 63 inspectors visually inspected forgings, with and without crack-like indications. The influence of illuminance on probability of detection was investigated. Therefore, illuminance was varied in three steps (200 lx, 350 lx, 500 lx). Human factors (e.g., experience, motivation) were recorded by using questionnaires. The results show no significant difference in probability of detection between the three illuminance levels. Equal probability of detection rates could be achieved at illuminances below and at the required threshold (500 lx). A difference in illuminance was found between the measurement point and the test area of the respective participant. This leads to higher assumed illuminance than present on the component. Compared with the measurement accuracy of the used illuminance meter, none of these deviations could be used to explain the similar results at different illuminance. The fact that illuminance has a significant influence in detecting indications has been disproven for this case. Whether human factors can provide explanation for the results remains unclear. This will be investigated in further research.
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.
Each engineering decision is based on a number of more or less accurate information. In assessment of existing structures, additional relevant information collected with on-site inspections facilitate better decisions. However, observed data basically represents the physical characteristic of interest with an uncertainty. This uncertainty is a measure of the inspection quality and can be quantified by expressing the measurement uncertainty. The internationally accepted rules for calculating measurement uncertainty are well established and can be applied straightforwardly in many practical cases. Nevertheless, the calculations require the occasionally time-consuming development of an individually suitable measurement model. This contribution attempts to emphasize proposals for modelling the non-destructive depth measurement of tendons in concrete using the ultrasonic echo technique. The proposed model can serve as guideline for the determination of the quality of the measured information in future comparable inspection scenarios.
Whereas human factors (HF) in the non-destructive testing (NDT) of metallic components are a poorly investigated topic (in comparison to other industrial fields such as aviation), HF in the inspection of concrete components are even less known. Studies have shown that there is always some variability between individuals in their inspection results and that HF affect the reliability of NDT inspections. The aim of the ongoing WIPANO project is to draft a standard for a holistic reliability assessment, with concrete inspection as one case study. This includes also the HF. A human-oriented Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) was carried out to do the following: a) identify possible human-related risks in tunnel inspection processes using a laser scan method (including data collection,evaluation, and assessment of tunnel damage) and b) evaluate these human-related risks as regards their possible causes, consequences and probability of occurrence – in addition with respect to existing and possible preventive measures. The results show that the causes for possible failures can lie within people, the physical environment, technology, organisation, and extra-organisational environment. Whereas current preventive measures rely mostly on the individual and quality management practices, there is potential for even larger improvement at the organisational and extra-organisational level. The FMEA results were also used to develop a quantification method to further understand the HF in tunnel inspection, which could possibly be included in the information into the overall reliability assessment. The usage of qualitative and quantitative data collected through the human-FMEA within the proposed quantification method shows promise that HF can be quantified and could offer broader understanding of HF influences on inspection in various industries.
Chemical and pharmaceutical companies have to find new paths to survive successfully in a changing environment, while also finding more flexible ways of product and process development to bring their products to market more quickly – especially high-quality high-end products like fine chemicals or pharmaceuticals. A current approach uses flexible and modular chemical production units, which can produce different high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce the time to market of new products.
NMR spectroscopy appeared as excellent online analytical tool and allowed a modular data analysis approach, which even served as reliable reference method for further Process Analytical Technology (PAT) applications. Using the available datasets, a second data analysis approach based on artificial neural networks (ANN) was evaluated. Therefore, amount of data was augmented to be sufficient for training. The results show comparable performance, while improving the calculation time tremendously. In future, such fully integrated and interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can increase the efficiency of the production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
In addition to already established structural monitoring methods such as deformation, inclination or strain gauges or acoustic emission sensors, sonic or ultrasonic monitoring might provide valuable information about the condition or alteration of a structure. Sensors such as geophones, recording ambient noise in the sonic and subsonic frequency range can provide information beyond modal analysis by using interferometric methods. Wave velocities determined by this method are related to the elastic properties and stiffness of material and structure and can be converted into damage indicators. Embedded active ultrasonic transducer networks can provide more detailed insight about deterioration or damages again, using interferometric technologies. This approach is extremely sensible, detecting relative change in velocity on down to 10-5. These methods, including benefits and remaining challenges, are demonstrated using data from a test structure at BAM’s test site demonstrating the case of prestress loss, and data from an actual bridge still under traffic.
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.
Approaches to the development of a (GUM-) measurement model for the calculation of measurement uncertainties in the localization of tendons in concrete structures using the ultrasonic echo method including demonstration were presented.
Imaging of results in NDT-CE: Strength and limitations in the use of Radar vs. Ultrasonic Echo
(2022)
Presentation on behalf of the co-author specified in BAM-Publica.
Study on capabilities of volume methods (GPR, Ultrasonic Echo) regarding lateral and depth localisation of reinforcement and tendons in concrete components. Varied boundary conditions: spacing and diameter of both the near surface rebars of the mesh, and the reflectors of interest, as well as component thickness and concrete cover. Please find corresponding references on slide 2.
Performance Assessment for a Guided Wave-Based SHM System Applied to a Stiffened Composite Structure
(2022)
To assess the ability of structural health monitoring (SHM) systems, a variety of prerequisites and contributing factors have to be taken into account. Within this publication, this variety is analyzed for actively introduced guided wave-based SHM systems. For these systems, it is not possible to analyze their performance without taking into account their structure and their applied system parameters. Therefore, interdependencies of performance assessment are displayed in an SHM pyramid based on the structure and its monitoring requirements. Factors influencing the quality, capability and reliability of the monitoring system are given and put into relation with state-of-the-art performance analysis in a non-destructive evaluation. While some aspects are similar and can be treated in similar ways, others, such as location, environmental condition and structural dependency, demand novel solutions. Using an open-access data set from the Open Guided Waves platform, a detailed method description and analysis of path-based performance assessment is presented.The adopted approach clearly begs the question about the decision framework, as the threshold affects the reliability of the system. In addition, the findings show the effect of the propagation path according to the damage position. Indeed, the distance of damage directly affects the system performance. Otherwise, the propagation direction does not alter the potentiality of the detection approach despite the anisotropy of composites. Nonetheless, the finite waveguide makes it necessary to look at the whole paths, as singular phenomena associated with the reflections may appear. Numerical investigation helps to clarify the centrality of wave mechanics and the necessity to take sensor position into account as an influencing factor. Starting from the findings achieved, all the issues are discussed, and potential future steps are outlined.
Chemical and pharmaceutical companies need to find new ways to survive successfully in a changing environment, while finding more flexible ways of product and process development to bring their products to market faster - especially high-value, high-end products such as fine chemicals or pharmaceuticals. This is complicated by changes in value chains along a potential circular economy.
One current approach is flexible and modular chemical production units that use multi-purpose equipment to produce various high-value products with short downtimes between campaigns and can shorten time-to-market for new products. Online NMR spectroscopy will play an important role for plant automation and quality control, as the method brings very high linearity, matrix independence and thus works almost calibration-free. Moreover, these properties ideally enable automated and machine-aided data analysis for the above-mentioned applications.
Using examples, this presentation will outline a possible more holistic approach to digitalization and the use of machine-based processes in the production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals through the introduction of integrated and networked systems and processes.
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) with focus on 1H protons is increasingly applied for non-destructive testing applications. Besides mobile NMR, laboratory devices such as the NMR core-analyzing tomograph are used. As their magnetic field is more homogeneous, they enable measurements with higher signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), but with limited sample sizes. The tomograph presented here (8.9 MHz) was constructed for a maximum sample diameter of 70 mm and length of up to 1 m. The resolution, the echo time (min. 50 µs), the SNR and the measurement type can be adjusted by means of exchangable coils. The tomograph enables measurements along the complete sensitive length, slice-selective and even 2- or 3-dimensional measurements. A movable sample lifting system thereby allows a precise positioning of the sample.
Geophysical methods are able to contribute significantly to geotechnical site characterization. In-situ parameters are collected and gaps between boreholes or other direct tests are filled with information. However the limited resolution has to be considered and the indirect geophysical parameters have to be translated into something geotechnically useful. Moreover, the limitations have to be evaluated when including geophysical data into geostatistical models. If done properly, the use of geophysics will help in an efficient and effective site characterization. A comprehensive overview on existing geophysical (mostly seismic) methods is given as well as information on the calibration of geophysical against geotechnical parameters, pitfalls and limitations and some hints how to include these data into geostatistical/geotechnical models.
The Boltzmann plot is one of the most widely used methods for determining the temperature in different types of laboratory plasmas. It operates on the logarithm as a function of the dimensional argument, which assumes that the correct physical units are used. In many works using the Boltzmann method, there is no analysis of the dimension of this argument, which may be the cause of a potential error. This technical note offers a brief description of the method and shows how to correctly use physical units when using transcendental functions like the logarithm.
The European Metrology Network (EMN) for Advanced Manufacturing has been established in June 2021. Currently nine EMNs focussing on different important topics of strategic importance for Europe exist and form an integral part of EURAMET, the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (NMI). EMNs are tasked to ▪ develop a high-level coordination of the metrology community in Europe in a close dialogue with the respective stakeholders (SH)
▪ develop a strategic research agenda (SRA) within their thematic areas
▪ provide contributions to the European Partnership on Metrology research programme Based on the analysis of existing metrology infrastructures and capabilities of NMIs, the metrology research needs for advanced manufacturing are identified in close cooperation with academic, governmental and industrial stakeholders.
Here, we report on the progress of the EMN for Advanced Manufacturing.
Shape memory alloy structures for actuator and vibration damper applications may be manufactured using wire arc additive manufacturing (W AAM), which is one of the additive manufacturing technologies. Multilayer deposition causes heat accumulation during W AAM, which rises the preheat temperature of the previously created layer. This leads to process instabilities, which result in deviations from the desired dimensions and mechanical properties changes. During W AAM deposition of the wall structure, a systematic research is carried out by adjusting the interlayer delay from 10 to 30 s. When the delay period is increased from 10 to 30 s, the breadth decreases by 45% and the height increases by 33%. Grain refinement occurs when the interlayer delay duration is increased, resulting in better hardness, phase transformation temperature, compressive strength, and shape recovery behavior. This study shows how the interlayer delay affects the behavior of W AAM-built nickel-titanium alloy (NiTi) structures in a variety of applications.
The BAMline at the BESSY II synchrotron X-ray source has enabled research for more than 20 years in widely spread research fields such as materials science, biology, cultural heritage and medicine. As a nondestructive characterization method, synchrotron X-ray imaging, especially tomography, plays a particularly important role in structural characterization. A recent upgrade of key equipment of the BAMline widens its imaging capabilities: shorter scan acquisition times are now possible, in situ and operando studies can now be routinely performed, and different energy spectra can easily be set up. In fact, the upgraded double-multilayer monochromator brings full flexibility by yielding different energy spectra to optimize flux and energy resolution as desired. The upgraded detector (based on an sCMOS camera) also allows exploiting the higher flux with reduced readout times. Furthermore, an installed slip ring allows the sample stage to continuously rotate. The latter feature enables tomographic observation of processes occurring in the time scale of a few seconds.
A systematic study has been carried out to investigate the neutron transmission signal as a function of sample temperature. In particular, the experimentally determined wavelength-dependent neutron attenuation spectra for a martensitic steel at temperatures ranging from 21 to 700°C are compared with simulated data. A theoretical description that includes the Debye–Waller factor in order to describe the temperature influence on the neutron cross sections was implemented in the nxsPlotter software and used for the simulations. The analysis of the attenuation coefficients at varying temperatures shows that the missing contributions due to elastic and inelastic scattering can be clearly distinguished: while the elastically scattered intensities decrease with higher temperatures, the inelastically scattered intensities increase, and the two can be separated from each other by analysing unique sharp features in the form of Bragg edges. This study presents the first systematic approach to quantify this effect and can serve as a basis , for example, to correct measurements taken during in situ heat treatments, in many cases being a prerequisite for obtaining quantifiable results.
During their life span, concrete structures interact with many kinds of external mechanical loads. Most of these loads are considered in advance and result in reversible deformations. Nevertheless, some of the loads cause irreversible, sometimes unnoticed changes below the macroscopic scale depending on the type and dimension of the impact. As the functionality of concrete structures is often relevant to safety and society, their condition must be known and, therefore, assessed on a regular basis. Out of the spectrum of non-destructive monitoring methods, Coda Wave Interferometry using embedded ultrasonic sensors is one particularly sensitive technique to evaluate changes to heterogeneous media. However, there are various influences on Coda waves in concrete, and the interpretation of their superimposed effect is ambiguous. In this study, we quantify the relations of uniaxial compression and uniaxial tension on Coda waves propagating in normal concrete. We found that both the signal correlation of ultrasonic signals as well as their velocity variation directly reflect the stress change in concrete structures in a laboratory environment. For the linear elastic range up to 30% of the strength, we calculated a velocity variation of −0.97‰/MPa for compression and 0.33%/MPa for tension using linear regression. In addition, these parameters revealed even weak irreversible changes after removal of the load. Furthermore, we show the time-dependent effects of shrinkage and creep on Coda waves by providing the development of the signal parameters over time during half a year together with creep recovery. Our observations showed that time-dependent material changes must be taken into account for any comparison of ultrasonic signals that are far apart in time. The study’s results demonstrate how Coda Wave Interferometry is capable of monitoring stress changes and detecting even small-size microstructural changes. By indicating the stated relations and their separation from further impacts, e.g., temperature and moisture, we anticipate our study to contribute to the qualification of Coda Wave Interferometry for its application as an early-warning system for concrete structures.
What is meant by ‘Micro Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation’? This was the central subject of debate in this Special Issue.
At present, sub-millimeter-size components or even assemblies are pervading the industrial and scientific world. Classic examples are electronic devices and watches (as well as parts thereof), but recent examples encompass additively manufactured lattice structures, stents, or other microparts. Moreover, most assemblies contain micro-components. Testing such components or their miniaturized parts would fit well within the topic of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation.
In all cases, performance and integrity testing, quality control, and dimensional tolerances need to be measured at the sub-millimeter level (ideally with a spatial resolution of about a micron); most of the time, such features and components are embedded in much larger assemblies, which also need to be taken into account. The solution to this dilemma (i.e. measuring large parts with high resolution) depends on the part and on the problem under consideration.
Another possible definition of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation can relate to the characterization of micro-features (e.g., the microstructure) in much larger specimens, such as damage in concrete cores or porosity in additively manufactured components. A further aspect is the use of microscopic probes to evaluate macroscopic properties. This is the case, for instance but not at all exclusively, in the use of diffraction techniques to determine macroscopic stress.
The splits between testing and characterization at the micro-level (or of micro parts) from one side and handling of macroscopic assemblies on the other represent a great challenge for many fields of materials characterization. On top of that, including the use of microscopic methods to test integrity would add a further level of complexity.
Imaging, mechanical testing, non-destructive testing, measurement of properties, structural health monitoring, and dimensional metrology all need to be re-defined if we want to cope with the multi-faceted topic of micro non-destructive testing and evaluation.
The challenge has already been accepted by the scientific and engineering communities for a while but is still far from being universally tackled. This Special Issue yields an interesting answer to the questions posed above. It presents the progress made and the different aspects of the challenge as well as at indicates the paths for the future of NDT&E.
The BAMline at the synchrotron X-ray source BESSY II (Berlin, Germany) is supporting researchers in a wide range of research areas since more than 20 years. These fields include biology, cultural heritage, medicine, and also materials science. As a non-destructive characterization method, synchrotron X-ray imaging, especially tomography with hard X-Rays, plays an important role in structural 3D characterization. A recent upgrade of key equipment at the BAMline expands the imaging capabilities towards shorter acquisition times. Therefore, in-situ and operando experiments can now be routinely conducted. Also, different energy resolutions can be set up to optimize flux and energy resolution as desired. This requires an adaptation of the used reconstruction methods in order to perform necessary analyses also during the experiment. In this presentation the equipment, data handling pipeline as well as various examples from material science are presented.