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Thermographic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is based on the interaction of thermal waves with inhomogeneities. These inhomogeneities are related to sample geometry or material composition. Although thermography is suitable for a wide range of inhomogeneities and materials, the fundamental limitation is the diffusive nature of thermal waves and the need to measure their effect radiometrically at the sample surface only. The propagation of the thermal waves from the heat source to the inhomogeneity and to the detection surface results in a degradation in the spatial resolution of the technique. A new concerted ansatz based on a spatially structured heating and a joint sparsity of the signal ensemble allows an improved reconstruction of inhomogeneities. As a first step to establish an improved thermographic NDE method, an experimental setup was built based on structured 1D illumination using a flash lamp behind a mechanical aperture. As a follow-up to this approach, we now use direct structured illumination using a 1D laser array. The individual emitter cells are driven by a pseudo-random binary pattern and are additionally shifted by fractions of the cell period. The repeated measurement of these different configurations enables to illuminate each spot of the sample surface in lateral direction. This allows for a reconstruction that makes use of joint sparsity.
The measured data set is processed using super resolution image reconstruction algorithms such as the iterative joint sparsity (IJOSP) algorithm. Using this reconstruction technique and 150 different illumination patterns results in a spatial resolution enhancement of approximately a factor of four compared to the resolution of 5.9 mm for homogenously illuminated thermographic reconstruction.
Further, new data processing techniques have been studied before applying the IJOSP algorithm that are more performant or less prone to errors regarding image reconstruction. The choice of regularization parameters in data processing as well as experimental parameters such as the illumination pattern as a variable heat flux density (i.e., the Neumann boundary condition for convolution with the constant Green's function) have a big influence on the reconstruction goodness. With analytical-numerical modelling and numerical FEM simulations, we studied the influence of the experimental parameters on the result of the non-linear IJOSP reconstruction. This has also been investigated experimentally e.g. using different laser line widths or more measurements per position. These studies are used to derive optimal conditions for a certain measurement image reconstruction technique.
The diffusive nature of heat propagation complicates the separation of two closely spaced defects. This results in a fundamental limitation in spatial resolution. Therefore, super resolution (SR) image reconstruction can be used. SR processing techniques based on spatially structured heating and joint sparsity of the signal ensemble allows for an improved reconstruction of closely spaced defects. This new technique has been studied using a 1D laser array with randomly chosen illumination pattern.
This paper presents the results after applying SR algorithms such as the iterative joint sparsity (IJOSP) algorithm, to our processed measurement data. Two different data processing strategies are evaluated and discussed regarding their influence on the reconstruction goodness as well as their complexity. Moreover, the degradation of the SR reconstruction by the choice of regularization parameters in data processing is discussed.
The application of both SR techniques that are evaluated in this paper results in a spatial resolution enhancement of approximately a factor of four which leads to a better separation of two closely spaced defects. The fundamental difference between both SR techniques is their complexity.
The simulator aRTist combines analytical and Monte Carlo methods to efficiently model the radiographic process of industrial radiology. In this contribution we focus on virtual computer tomography, the simulation of tomographic scans. The possibilities to simulate complex scanning trajectories are shown in combination with the tomographic reconstruction using individual projection matrices.
Non-destructive testing for surface crack detection and head check depth quantification at the gauge corner of railway tracks can be achieved using eddy current methods. With the extension of the tested zone to the running surface, rail defect signal types other than head checks can be measured. Due to their mostly irregular shape, a quantitation based on a calibration against regular test cracks of varying depth may not be linear. Estimates of the expected influence of more complex crack patterns may be obtained by a finite element simulation of sufficiently simple limiting cases, like two displaced or intersecting cracks or a simply branched or flexed crack. As a first step, a 3D finite element model of the HC10 eddy current probe distributed by Prüftechnik Linke und Rühe (PLR), Germany was built and verified against measured results from an (easily fabricated) reference block with isolated long cracks.
Non-destructive testing for surface crack detection and head check depth quantification at the gauge corner of railway tracks can be achieved using eddy current methods. With the extension of the tested zone to the running surface, rail defect signal types other than head checks can be measured. Due to their mostly irregular shape, a quantitation based on a calibration against regular test cracks of varying depth may not be linear. Estimates of the expected influence of more complex crack patterns may be obtained by a finite element simulation of sufficiently simple limiting cases, like two displaced or intersecting cracks or a simply branched or flexed crack. As a first step, a 3D finite element model of the HC10 eddy current probe distributed by Prüftechnik Linke und Rühe (PLR), Germany was built and verified against measured results from an (easily fabricated) reference block with isolated long cracks.
New concepts for the measurement of focal spot parameters of nano- and microfocus X-ray tubes
(2019)
Accurate measurement of focal spot sizes of X-ray tubes, betatrons and linear accelerators is still an open problem. Several standards are currently active, which provide different results depending on the focal spot shape. CEN published the standard series EN 12543 (five parts) in 1999, which describes the measurement of focal spot sizes of X-ray tubes for NDT applications. The measurement procedure and its tolerances deviate from the measurement standards for medical X-ray tubes, e.g. EN 60336:2006 / IEC 60336:2005. EN 12543 describes different measurement methods for X-ray tubes with focal spots in several size ranges, defined as macrofocus, minifocus and microfocus. CEN TC 138 WG 1 und ASTM E 07.01 are revising (CEN) or have just revised (ASTM) the standards for focal spot size measurements, basing them on pin hole or edge measurements only. Slit cameras are applied for medical tube evaluation only. Tomographic methods for focal spot size shape reconstruction were proposed and will be discussed, but have not yet been used for standardization. The currently available standards cover the range of spot sizes from 5 µm up to several millimetres. During the last years, more and more nanofocus tubes have been developed for high-resolution applications and microscopy. Manufacturers and users apply different methods for measurement of nanofocus spot sizes and image resolution, which differ by a factor of up to two. These well-known methods and new alternative methods for the measurement of nanofocus spots (size and shape) will be evaluated and improved in the EMPIR project “NanoXSpot” in order to develop a related measurement standard.
Modern wind turbine rotor blades consist of sandwich shell segments made from glass fiber reinforced polymers. During manufacturing, defects can arise which could lead to failure of the whole component under dynamic mechanical and thermal loads. Hence during operation defects can arise which, if detected, can be repaired locally and in-situ by applying repair patches instead of taking the whole rotor blade down and repair it remotely. This method is much more time and cost effective, since the shut-down time of the energy converter is limited to a minimum. These repair patches can, however, also lead to new defects if not applied optimally. Therefore, it is necessary to control the quality of the repair patches to ensure the best possible restoration of structural integrity of the component. As a rotor blade is an object with a large aspect ratio, X-ray laminography is predestined to provide 3D information of the objective volume. To enhance the amount of information gained from laminographic reconstruction, we use in this study a photon counting and energy discriminating X-ray detector and apply a material decomposition algorithm to the data. By inherently separating the incident spectra within the detection process into two distinct energy bins, the basis material decomposition can provide material resolved images. Choosing glass and epoxy resin as basis materials and numerically solving the inverse dual-energy equation system, the reconstructed laminographic datasets contain highly valuable information about the distribution of the basis materials within the structure. Furthermore, cross- artifacts arising from the limited angle of the projection data can be reduced by this method which allows to investigate structures that were hidden underneath the artefacts.
Modern wind turbine rotor blades consist of sandwich shell segments made from glass fiber reinforced polymers. During manufacturing, defects can arise which could lead to failure of the whole component under dynamic mechanical and thermal loads. Hence during operation defects can arise which, if detected, can be repaired locally and in-situ by applying repair patches instead of taking the whole rotor blade down and repair it remotely. This method is much more time and cost effective, since the shut-down time of the energy converter is limited to a minimum. These repair patches can, however, also lead to new defects if not applied optimally. Therefore, it is necessary to control the quality of the repair patches to ensure the best possible restoration of structural integrity of the component. As a rotor blade is an object with a large aspect ratio, X-ray laminography is predestined to provide 3D information of the objective volume. To enhance the amount of information gained from laminographic reconstruction, we use in this study a photon counting and energy discriminating X-ray detector and apply a material decomposition algorithm to the data. By inherently separating the incident spectra within the detection process into two distinct energy bins, the basis material decomposition can provide material resolved images. Choosing glass and epoxy resin as basis materials and numerically solving the inverse dual-energy equation system, the reconstructed laminographic datasets contain highly valuable information about the distribution of the basis materials within the structure. Furthermore, cross- artifacts arising from the limited angle of the projection data can be reduced by this method which allows to investigate structures that were hidden underneath the artefacts.
Lamb waves are widely used for monitoring the health of structures made of laminated materials (metals, composites). Piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers transmit and receive acoustic guided waves that interact with the elastic properties and the defects of the material under test. In recent years, DINFO developed piezopolymer Interdigital Transducers (IDTs) proven to be suitable to build SHM systems for aerospace applications. Their base material is a Cr/Au-coated PVDF-TrFE copolymer sheet, having a thickness of 100μm and a
metallization of 0.1μm on both sides.
IDTs are attractive for SHM systems for their capability to select specific Lamb wave modes when designed with appropriate electrode pattern. For a reliable application, it is crucial to characterize the in-plane and out-of-plane displacement of the transducer and to correlate the ultrasonic propagating signal with the Lamb waves dispersion curves in laminates. For example, for a 2 mm aluminum plate A0 mode has dominant out-of-plane displacement, whereas S0 mode has dominant in-plane displacement at the plate's surface.
In collaboration with BAM the characterization of free vibrational modes using a 3D laser doppler vibrometer was performed. The analysis in the frequency domain was performed using the following parameters: a chirp excitation with frequencies 50-500 kHz and 0.5-1 MHz with 195 Hz and 390 Hz frequency resolution respectively at 100 Vpp for a total of 90 averaged measurements per point. Also propagating modes were characterized by bonding the IDT on a 2 mm aluminum plate and analyzing the in-plane and the out-of-plane components. A0-mode was successfully excited having the main lobe aligned with the main axis of the IDT, confirming the dominant presence of this propagating mode.
The results could be used as a basis for design and optimization of the IDTs in terms of directivity and mode selection, and to facilitate interpretation of the ultrasonic guided waves propagating in laminated structures.
Ultrasonic guided waves (UGW) have been shown to be suitable for non-destructive testing (NDT) and structural health monitoring (SHM) of many engineering structures. Development of a technique based on UGWs requires careful understanding obtained through modelling and analysis of wave propagation and mode-damage interaction due to their dispersion and multimodal character. This presentation will provide insights into the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method and its applicability for tackling wave propagation problems. Features and limitations of the SBFEM will be presented on an example of a multi-layered plate structure consisting of isotropic and anisotropic materials bonded together. You will be guided through the process of picking up the wave modes for your application. Starting from the calculation of dispersion curves and mode shapes to the analysis of wave propagation and mode-damage interaction. The main highlight of the presentation lies in the ability to detect damage in a certain layer depending on the mode used. The resulting deeper understanding of the wave propagation in multi-layered structures is the key to further developments of NDT and SHM for engineering structures consisting of multiple layers.
X-ray scatter imaging is a well-established NDT technique to inspect complex objects using only a single-sided access. We present a specially designed multi-slit scatter camera consisting of several twisted slits which are parallelly arranged in a metal block. The camera projects one image per slit to the digital detector array, where the images are overlaying each other. The aperture is corrected based on a de-convolution algorithm to focus the overlaying projections into a single representation of the object. To achieve high scatter intensities from an object, it is necessary to optimize the parameters of the scatter system by simulation.
NMR is gaining increasing interest in civil engineering applications for the use of microstructure characterization as e.g. pore size determination and monitoring of moisture transport in porous materials. In this study, the use of NMR as a tool for pore size characterization was investigated. For our study we used screed and synthetic materials at partial and full saturation. A successful determination could be achieved when having a reference or calibration method, although partly diffusion effects have been registered. Due to these diffusion effects, for the determination of pore size distributions of synthetic materials another NMR device was needed. Finally, the determination of the surface relaxivity of screed (50 μm/s) led to a higher value than first expected from literature.
EMPIR Project NanoXSpot
(2019)
The overall objective of project NanoXSpot (Nanometre X-ray Focal Spot Measurement) is to develop traceable measurement methods for determining the focal spot size, shape, and position of nanometre resolution X-ray tubes. The impact of the technical results will be ensured by preparing prenormative documents for submission to CEN TC 138 (Non-destructive testing) WG 1 (Radiographic testing), which directly addresses the research needs of CEN, currently revising standards in the series 12543 for focal spot measurements below 5 µm spot size to harmonise standards and measurement method between ASTM and CEN.
The quantification of experimental and data analysis errors is most of the times jeopardised by the presence of surface roughness, waviness, as well as by typical measurement artefacts of the XCT technique (for instance refraction at sharp edges). One way to at least estimate the influence of those factors on dimensional measurements and on tolerances is to simulate them using Monte-Carlo method. An alternative strategy is to use independent knowledge (e.g. CMM data) to smoothen/calibrate/correct XCT data.
The characterisation of AM structures is an important aspect of the AM process, required in order to:
1. optimise the AM printing process
2. assess the quality of produced parts
A wide range of characterisation techniques are available, and the selection can be complex, based on multiple factors.
One output from the MetAMMi project is a good practice guide on the correct choice of characterisation technique.
This paper discloses two high-sensitivity probes for Eddy Current Nondestructive Test (NDT) of buried and surface defects. These probes incorporate eight and 32 magnetoresistive sensors, respectively, which are optimized for high sensitivity and spatial resolution. The signal processing and interfacing are carried out by a full-custom application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC signal chain performs with a thermal input-referred noise of 30 nV/√Hz at 1 kHz, with 66 mW of power consumption, in a die with 3.7 × 3.4 mm 2 . NDT results are presented, showing that there is an increase in spatial resolution of surface defects when contrasted to prior art, enabling the probes to resolve defects with diameters of 0.44 mm, pitches of 0.6 mm, and minimum edge distance as low as 0.16 mm. The results also show that the probe for buried defects is a good all-round tool for detection of defects under cladding and multiple-plate flat junctions.
19th and 20th centuries glass paint layers consist of a colour body and a colourless lead silicate flux, in which borax or boric acid was added as further component to improve the paint ability and to reduce the firing temperature for multiple layers of paint. Model glasses were used in laboratory tests to investigate the stability of glass paints with additions of boron oxide. To determine boron in paint layers, a LIBS-system with pulsed NdYAG-laser was used.
In this study, an Impulse Response Function analysis of pile response to sine-sweep excitation by a low cost, portable Shaker was used to identify defects in piles. In straightforward impact-echo methods, echoes from the pile toe and defects are visible in the time domain measurements. However, these echoes are not present in the time domain records of piles subjected to sine-sweep excitations, due to interactions between the input and output signals. For this reason, the impulse response function in the time domain has been calculated and is able to identify the echoes from pile impedance changes. The proposed methodology has been evaluated both numerically and experimentally. A one-dimensional pile-soil interaction system was developed, and a finite difference method used to calculate the pile response to sine-sweep excitation. The numerical simulations indicate that impulse response measurements with a synthesized logarithmic, sine-sweep excitation could be an effective tool for detecting defects in piles. The methodology was further tested with field trials on 6 cast in situ concrete test piles including 1 intact pile and 5 defective piles subjected to sine-sweep excitations by a shaker. In 5 of the 6 cases the echoes from the pile toe could be identified in the deconvoluted waveforms—the impulse Response functions. Damage detection is more difficult and dependent on the selection of the optimal regularization parameter. Further research and optimization of the deconvolution process is needed to evaluate the effectiveness compared to standard pile integrity testing methods.
We demonstrate the use of a 3D printed radial collimator in X-ray powder diffraction and surface sensitive grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. We find a significant improvement in the overall Signal to background ratio of up to 100 and a suppression of more than a factor 3⋅10⁵ for undesirable Bragg reflections generated by the X-ray “transparent” windows of the sample environment.
The background reduction and the removal of the high intensity signals from the windows, which limit the detector’s dynamic range, enable significantly higher sensitivity in experiments within sample environments such as vacuum chambers and gas- or liquid-cells. Details of the additively manufactured steel collimator geometry, alignment strategies using X-ray fluorescence, and data analysis are also briefly discussed. The flexibility and affordability of 3D prints enable designs optimized for specific detectors and sample environments, without compromising the degrees of freedom of the diffractometer.
Here, we report on a first mechanochemical synthesis of ettringite, an important cement hydrate phase. The mineral compound ettringite ([Ca3Al(OH)6]2·(SO4)3·26H2O) occurs rarely in nature, but is common for cement-based materials. Ettringite has wide technical application in the ceramic and paper industry. However, its typical wet-chemical synthesis is cumbersome and produces waste water and CO2 emissions. Here, we investigate the first mechanochemical synthesis of ettringite for developing an easy and sustainable alternative for industrial application. The mechanosynthesis was monitored in situ by coupled synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared thermography (IRT). The consumption of the reactants and the formation of the reaction product were monitored with time-resolved XRD. IRT showed the temperature increase based on the exothermic reaction. The reaction conversion was significantly improved changing the strategy of the mechanosynthesis from a one- to a two-step process. The latter included neat pregrinding of solid reactants followed by a delayed addition of the stoichiometric amount of water. Thus, an increase of reaction conversion from 34 to 94% of ettringite could be achieved.
Iterative numerical 2D-modelling for quantification of material defects by pulsed thermography
(2019)
This paper presents a method to quantify the geometry of defects such as flat bottom holes (FBH) and notches in opaque materials by a pulse thermography (PT) experiment and a numerical model. The aim was to precisely describe PT experiments in reflection configuration with a simple and fast numerical model in order to use this model and a fit algorithm to quantify defects within the material. The algorithm minimizes the difference between the time sequence of a line shaped region of interest (ROI) on the surface (above the defect) from the PT experiment and the numerical data. Therefore, the experimental data can be reconstructed with the numerical model. In this way, the defect depth of a notch or FBH and its width or diameter was determined simultaneously. A laser was used for heating which was widened to a top hat spatial profile to ensure homogeneous illumination (rectangular impulse profile in time). The numerical simulation considers heating conditions and takes thermal losses due to convection and radiation into account. We quantified the geometry of FBH and notches in steel and polyvinyl chloride plasticized (PVC-U) materials with an accuracy of < 5 %.
A novel approach for rating fatigue-initiating inclusions in highly demanding steel (INCAFAT)
(2018)
INCAFAT project aimed to improve existing fatigue damage models by establishing the most suitable combination of measurement techniques to characterise harmful inclusion populations in highly demanding steels. The different inclusion assessments carried out confirm that, chemical composition, secondary metallurgy and manufacturing route affect content, nature, size and shape of inclusions. According to the FEM model, inclusions produce an alteration of the stress field in their surrounding region, which can promote a fatigue failure. Experimental work on fatigue testing has demonstrated that depending on the stressed direction fatigue failures in highly demanding steels could be produced by different types of inclusions. Fractography analyses confirmed that meso-inclusions harmful in fatigue cannot be rated by standard methods, nor 10 MHz ultrasonic testing (macro) or micro-cleanness assessments. The necessity of rating these meso-inclusions has led to critical evaluation of Extreme Value Analysis according to ASTM E2283-08 and the development of high frequency immersion ultrasonic testing. EVA methodology based on inclusion width can be applied reliably when principal stress is parallel to the rolling direction. On the contrary, if inclusions are testing in the elongated directions its fails. On the other hand, the guidelines and recommendations for high frequency ultrasonic testing have been compiled in a new European standard draft. This method based on focal beam probes and high-resolution devices is able to provide information on meso-inclusion distribution.
Nominal-actual comparisons are routinely performed to compare a manufactured specimen to a reference specimen. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) has brought a profound change in the way that tolerance verifications are performed in industry, by allowing the inner and outer geometries of an object to be measured, without the need for external access or destructive testing. As a results, CT is increasingly used in additive manufacturing applications, where a nominal-actual comparison performed between the digital model (CAD file), used as an input for the 3D printer, and the CT volume from the printed part, can provide invaluable information as to the accuracy of the printing process. However, the nominal-actual comparison process is somewhat different when applied to additively manufactured specimens by comparison to conventionally manufactured specimens.
Nominal-actual comparisons are routinely performed to compare a manufactured specimen to a reference specimen. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) has brought a profound change in the way that tolerance verifications are performed in industry, by allowing the inner and outer geometries of an object to be measured, without the need for external access or destructive testing. As a results, CT is increasingly used in additive manufacturing applications, where a nominal-actual comparison performed between the digital model (CAD file), used as an input for the 3D printer, and the CT volume from the printed part, can provide invaluable information as to the accuracy of the printing process. However, the nominal-actual comparison process is somewhat different when applied to additively manufactured specimens by comparison to conventionally manufactured specimens.
One of the great strengths of X-ray computed tomography over conventional inspection methods (ultrasound, thermography, radiography) is that it can image damage in 3D. However for curved or deformed composite panels, it can be difficult to automatically ascribe the damage to specific plies or inter-ply interfaces. An X-ray computed tomography (CT) data processing methodology is developed to extract the through-thickness distribution of damage in curved or deformed composite panels. The method is applied to [(0°/90°)2]s carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) panels subjected low velocity impact damage (5 J up to 20 J) providing 3D ply-by-ply damage visualisation and analysis. Our distance transform approach allows slices to be taken that approximately follow the composite curvature allowing the impact damage to be separated, visualised and quantified in 3D on a ply-by-ply basis. In this way the interply delaminations have been mapped, showing characteristic peanut shaped delaminations with the major axis oriented with the fibres in the ply below the interface. This registry to the profile of the panel constitutes a significant improvement in our ability to characterise impact damage in composite laminates and extract relevant measurements from X-ray CT datasets.
The reassessment of bridges is becoming increasingly important. The basic requirement for analyses of structural safety is reliable knowledge about individual structures. This paper introduces the new approach to evaluate the quality of measured data gained from non-destructive testing (NDT) to provide reliable, objective, and relevant information about existing bridges. The purpose is to relate this validated knowledge to probabilistic analyses. Bridging the gap between NDT and numerical reassessments indicates reduced numerical uncertainties and residual service time extensions. This paper deals with an application of this approach using measurement data collected by ultrasonic technique at a prestressed concrete bridge.
The application of composite pressure vessels is of great interest due to tremendous weight saving. Nevertheless, ageing of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) composites pressure vessels underlies complex interactions between metallic liner and composite and is not fully understood yet. One main challenge is the application of appropriate testing methods for detecting the influences of pressure cycles and creep behavior on the material. This contribution presents results achieved by using conventional eddy current testing (ET) and high frequency ET. Here, we could show that also conventional ET with low frequencies are useable to investigate pressure vessels of different material combinations like aluminum-CFRP and synthetics-CFRP.
The closure of underground nuclear waste disposal facilities requires reliable gas- and water-tight engineered barriers. In Germany, barriers made from salt concrete have been evaluated in full scale. While the barriers seem to fulfill the requirements regarding permeability, some unexpected cracks have been detected at the surface and at depth. In cooperation between the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE) and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), several experiments have been carried out to evaluate the applicability for ultrasonic measurements in crack detection and general quality assurance. Both commercial instruments and specially developed devices have been tested on site.
Using commercial ultrasonic echo devices designed for concrete inspection it was possible to detect cracks and objects in salt concrete up to a depth of 2 m. The check for delamination in shotcrete is another field of application. A unique device available at BAM, the wide aperture, deep penetration instrument LAUS, was able to locate cracks and objects up to a depth of 8 m so far, which is thought to be a record for ultrasonic echo measurements in concrete. Adapted imaging procedures, partly adopted from geophysics, helped to reveal 3D structure at depth.
In addition, we have developed ultrasonic probes to be deployed in boreholes, currently at up to 20 m depth. They can collect information on cracks and other features in a radius of about 1.5 m around the borehole in the current version and might be used in echo or transmission mode. Evaluation experiments have been performed at an experimental barrier at the ERAM site in Morsleben, Germany. The results showed several empty and injected cracks as well as built-in instrumentation. The results have been verified using borehole endoscopy as well as core examination and will be used to set up a reliable quality assurance system for engineered barriers. All instruments are based on ultrasonic shear wave transducers with a frequency range between 25 kHz and 100 kHz. Current research focuses on the improvement of the hardware (e. g. optimization of array characteristics) and imaging techniques such as Reverse Time Migration, both aiming at the improvement of depth of penetration, resolution and probability of detection.
The Spectral Element Method (SEM) has been proven to be an efficient numerical method for solving the wave equation in linear elastic bodies. This efficiency is reduced if a stress singularity is present in the body. For example, re-entrant corners, material interfaces, fixed boundaries, and especially crack tips can cause stress singularities. To preserve the efficiency of the SEM, special solution strategies are required. There are many approaches which consider stress singularities, but comparisons are rare for dynamic problems. Finding an efficient model is an important step for many applications. In particular, applications for structural health monitoring and non-destructive evaluation rely on accurate and efficient crack models.
In this contribution, we present several models to capture singularities in combination with the SEM. The theory behind the models are shortly summarized and we show results for different benchmark problems in two dimensions. The first model deploys a new class of singular elements. For these singular elements, the crack tip approximation is computed based on the static Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method (SBFEM). The second model uses the continued‐fraction‐based SBFEM, while the third model uses an hp-refinement near the singularity. The models are compared among each other and evaluated in terms of their respective efficiency and accuracy.
The in-situ monitoring of electrochemical deposition (ECD) processes is still a challenge regarding the measurement of the effective temperature of the substrate and the formation of mechanical stress in the layer under given plating conditions. Monitoring problems can be solved by applying a pre-coated fiber Bragg grating (FBG) to the electrolytic process as the shift of the Bragg wavelength is affected by both the temperature of the electrolyte near the substrate and the stress formation in the growing layer. The experimental FBG set-up and the quantitative determination of temperature- and stress-related strain is described for a nickel-iron electrolyte.
The reassessment of bridges is becoming increasingly important. The basic requirement for analyses of structural safety is reliable knowledge about individual structures. This paper introduces the new approach to evaluate the quality of measured data gained from non-destructive testing (NDT) to provide reliable, objective, and relevant information about existing bridges. The purpose is to relate this validated knowledge to probabilistic analyses. Bridging the gap between NDT and numerical reassessments indicates reduced numerical uncertainties and residual service time extensions. This paper deals with an application of this approach using measurement data collected by ultrasonic technique at a prestressed concrete bridge.
The necessity and demand for nondestructive testing of wood-based materials which can automatically scan huge areas of wood is increasing. Air-coupled ultrasound (ACU) is used to detect defects and damage without altering the structure permanently. Using through transmission it is possible to detect even small holes and missing adhesive. If only one side of an object is accessible the reflection mode is preferred at the expense of a reduced resolution and penetration depth. Novel ferroelectret transducers with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enable a high-precision structure recognition. The transducers made of cellular polypropylene (PP) are quite suitable for ACU testing due to their extremely low Young’s modulus and low density which result in a favorable acoustic impedance for the transmission of ultrasonic waves between the transducer and air. Thus, defects such as delamination, rot, and cracks can be detected. Promising results were obtained under laboratory conditions with frequencies from 90 kHz to 200 kHz. The advantage of these ACU transducers is that they do not require contact to the sample, are accurate, and cost effective. Ultrasonic quality assurance for Wood is an important attempt to increase the acceptance of wooden structures and towards sustainability in civil engineering in general.
Ultrasonic transmission measurements are used to monitor concrete elements mostly on a laboratory scale since decades. Recently, coda wave interferometry, a technique adapted from seismology, has been introduced to civil engineering experiments. It can be used to reveal subtle changes in concrete samples and even large construction elements without having a transducer directly at the location where the change is taking place. The methodology works best with embedded transducers to avoid coupling issues or excessive environmental influence. These transducers can be used for newly built and existing structures. Recently, large concrete beams have been equipped with a network of transducers and loaded until failure. Using code wave interferometry, it was possible to visualize stress fields and damaged areas. This paper gives an overview of the state of the art, recent results achieved at BAM and a task list for further results and development.
The necessity and demand for nondestructive testing of wood-based materials which can
automatically scan huge areas of wood is increasing. Air-coupled ultrasound (ACU) is used to detect defects and damage without altering the structure permanently. Using through transmission it is possible to detect even small holes and missing adhesive. If only one side of an object is accessible the reflection mode is preferred at the expense of a reduced resolution and penetration depth. Novel ferroelectret transducers with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enable a high-precision structure recognition. The transducers made of cellular polypropylene (PP) are quite suitable for ACU testing due to their extremely low Young’s modulus and low density which result in a favorable acoustic impedance for the transmission of ultrasonic waves between the transducer and air. Thus, defects such as delamination, rot, and cracks can be detected. Promising results were obtained under laboratory conditions with frequencies from 90 kHz to 200 kHz. The advantage of these ACU transducers is that they do not require contact to the sample, are accurate, and cost effective. Ultrasonic quality assurance for wood is an important attempt to increase the acceptance of wooden structures and towards sustainability in civil engineering in general.
Ultrasonic transmission measurements are used to monitor concrete elements mostly on a laboratory scale since decades. Recently, coda wave interferometry, a technique adapted from seismology, has been introduced to civil engineering experiments. It can be used to reveal subtle changes in concrete samples and even large construction elements without having a transducer directly at the location where the change is taking place. The methodology works best with embedded transducers to avoid coupling issues or excessive environmental influence. These transducers can be used for newly built and existing structures. Recently, large concrete beams have been equipped with a network of transducers and loaded until failure. Using code wave interferometry, it was possible to visualize stress fields and damaged areas. This paper gives an overview of the state of the art, recent results achieved at BAM and a task list for further results and development.
Laminography is a widely used NDT technique for large flat object which cannot be investigated by traditional computed tomography. However, due to the limited scanning angle of laminography, the reconstructed image has more artifact interference, which seriously affects the reconstructed image quality. Reducing artifacts of the laminography image and enhancing the images have become important research effort. In this paper, we present dual-energy materials characterization methods based on photon counting detectors to reduce artifacts and enhance image for laminography. The photon counting detector used in this study allows the setting of two independent energy thresholds in order to acquire dual-energy images for laminography from a single scan. The dual energy imaging methods of basis material decomposition (BMD) and weighted logarithmic subtraction (WLS) were studied in the paper with respect to laminography image enhancement. A fast decomposition algorithm on laminographic projection domain with approximating the inverse dual-energy equations to calculate the thickness of basic materials was used in the BMD dual-energy imaging methods. The experimental results show that the BMD method can characterize materials and enhance features of the basic material within the laminographic dataset. In the WLS method, a linear operation was applied on dual-energy images reconstruction directly, which can eliminate the attenuation of one specific material in the resultant image by setting an appropriate weighting factor. In our experiments. WLS method was used successfully to eliminate the strong artifacts generated by the special material and enhance the images. Dual-energy materials characterization methods based on photon counting detectors show potential applications in laminography.
Dehydration is a common process occurring in natural environments, rocks, and building materials. Suitable methods for monitoring the changing moisture content should be identified.
We have investigated the impact of dehydration of sandstones on complex conductivity spectra. Spectral induced polarization measurements were performed on five sandstone samples during evaporative drying. The complex conductivity spectra indicate considerable changes with decreasing saturation. The relationship between conductivity and saturation can be described by a power law known as the second empirical Archie equation. Separate saturation exponents have been determined for the real and imaginary parts of conductivity. The imaginary part of conductivity indicates higher saturation exponents for the investigated sandstones compared to the real part. Obviously, the saturation exponents depend on the method used for changing water saturation. Evaporative drying, which is used in our experiments, causes an increase of pore-water salinity and results in lower saturation exponents for the real part of conductivity but higher exponents for the imaginary part in comparison with the classical imbibition/Drainage technique. We evaluate a theoretical approach that considers the influence of pore water salinity on the saturation exponents of the real and imaginary parts of conductivity. The complex conductivity spectra are processed by a Debye decomposition procedure.
The resulting integrating parameters such as direct current resistivity, total chargeability, normalized chargeability, and mean relaxation time indicate a power law dependence on saturation. Our experiments indicate that the imaginary part of conductivity and normalized chargeability have a high sensitivity related to the drying process of rocks and might be suitable indicators to Monitor the changes of moisture content in sandstones.
Due to their high irradiance and wide modulation bandwidth, high-power lasers open up a wide field of application. For example, the classical methods of pulse and lock-in thermography can be realized in high quality. In addition, structured heating is also possible by using arrays of such lasers. This makes it possible to implement new thermographic methods, such as interference-based detection of cracks or super resolution.
Virtual CT acquisition and reconstruction of complex and noisy scanning trajectories in aRTist
(2019)
In modern CT imaging, simulation has become an important tool to minimize cost- and time-intensive measurements. It is increasingly used to optimize techniques for complex applications, to support the preparation of written procedures, and for educational purposes. We extended the CT simulation software ‘aRTist’ with a module to set-up arbitrary trajectories including disturbing influences during the scan. Moreover, such geometric deviations can be compensated by the internal reconstruction tool.
Simulating fiber-reinforced concrete mechanical performance using CT-based fiber orientation data
(2019)
The main hindrance to realistic models of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) is the local materials property variation, which does not yet reliably allow simulations at the structural level. The idea presented in this paper makes use of an existing constitutive model, but resolves the problem of localized material variation through X-ray computed tomography (CT)-based pre-processing. First, a three-point bending test of a notched beam is considered, where pre-test fiber orientations are measured using CT. A numerical model is then built with the zone subjected to progressive damage, modeled using an orthotropic damage model. To each of the finite elements within this zone, a local coordinate system is assigned, with its longitudinal direction defined by local fiber orientations. Second, the parameters of the constitutive damage model are determined through inverse analysis using load-displacement data obtained from the test. These parameters are considered to clearly explain the material behavior for any arbitrary external action and fiber orientation, for the same geometrical properties and volumetric ratio of fibers. Third, the effectiveness of the resulting model is demonstrated using a second, “control” experiment. The results of the “control” experiment analyzed in this research compare well with the model results. The ultimate strength was predicted with an error of about 6%, while the work-of-load was predicted within 4%. It demonstrates the potential of this method for accurately predicting the mechanical performance of FRC components.
This paper describes a novel methodology for quantitative in-situ moisture measurement without tracking agents using X-ray computed tomography (XCT). The high levels of grey-scale precision required for the measurement of moisture without tracking agents resulted in the need for an additional image calibration procedure to correct for water-related X-ray scattering and for equipment-variability related artefacts arising during in-situ testing. This calibration procedure was developed on the basis of existing principles of XCT image cor-rection. Resulting images of moisture distribution exhibit a high level of agreement with expected material behaviour. This research demonstrated that XCT can be successfully used to measure both moisture-front movement over time and changes in 3D moisture distribution within samples. This approach to moisture measurement lays the groundwork for the planned future investigation of the interaction between cracking induced by varying chemical and mechanical processes and water transport in concrete.
Absorption edge tomography is a method which exploits the sudden change of the attenuation coefficient, when the photon energy crosses the absorption edge of an element. The beamline BAM line at BESSY II, which is operated by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, can provide a monochromatized beam in a photon energy range from 5 keV up to 80 keV with a bandwidth of 2%. Together with the microtomography setup, this enables differential tomography sensitive to any element with N >= 24 (Cr) by using an appropriate K- or L-edge in this range. Here, a polymer filament embedding metal organic framework (MOF) was prepared and used for 3D printing. Absorption edge tomography at the copper K edge was employed to perform a non-destructive 3D characterization of the microstructure of the embedded MOF. Data fusion was then used to determine the size distribution of the embedded MOF.
Absorption edge tomography is a method which exploits the sudden change of the attenuation coefficient, when the photon energy crosses the absorption edge of an element. The beamline BAM line at BESSY II, which is operated by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, can provide a monochromatized beam in a photon energy range from 5 keV up to 80 keV with a bandwidth of 2%. Together with the microtomography setup, this enables differential tomography sensitive to any element with N >= 24 (Cr) by using an appropriate K- or L-edge in this range. Here, a polymer filament embedding metal organic framework (MOF) was prepared and used for 3D printing. Absorption edge tomography at the copper K edge was employed to perform a non-destructive 3D characterization of the microstructure of the embedded MOF. Data fusion was then used to determine the size distribution of the embedded MOF.
The transition from X-ray film to digital detectors in radiography is accompanied by an increase of unsharpness due to the larger inherent digital detector unsharpness in comparison to film. The basic spatial resolution of digital detectors (see EN ISO 17636-2) is used today to describe this unsharpness. The geometrical unsharpness of the radiographic projection of object structures onto the detector plane is determined by the focal spot size of the X-ray tube and the magnification. The focal spot size is measured today (see ASTM E 1165) from pin hole camera exposures or edge unsharpness (see ASTM E 2903). The final image unsharpness is a result of a convolution of the geometrical and inherent detector unsharpness function, divided by the magnification factor of the object onto the detector plane. Different approximations of this convolution result in ASTM E 1000 and ISO 17636-2 in different optimum values for the magnification factor for a given focal spot size of a X—ray tube and the basic spatial resolution of the detector. The higher contrast sensitivity, an advantage of digital radiography, compared to film radiography is furthermore improved when using higher X-ray voltages as used with film and smaller focal spots of the X-ray tubes. This allows a higher distance between object and detector resulting in reduced object scatter in the image. The interactions between all these parameters will be discussed and simple rules for practitioners will be derived in this contribution.
Digital radiographic images were analysed to predict the visibility of image quality indicators (IQI), based on normalized noise power spectra (NNPP) and modulation transfer function (MTF) measurements. The fixed pattern noise of some digital detectors result in different noise spectra, which influence the visibility of different IQIs, depending on the hole diameter. Studies, based on measurement of basic spatial resolution and contrast to noise ratio were performed together with presampled MTF measurements and the NNPS in dependence on the spatial frequency. Plate hole IQIs, step hole IQIs, and equivalent penetrameter sensitivity (EPS) IQIs based on ASTM E 746 were measured to verify the influence of the different parameters. Modelling of digital images was used to verify the applied numeric tools. A study has been performed for imaging plates and digital detector arrays to analyse differences. Formulas for the prediction of the visibility functions for hole type IQIs are derived. In consequence the standards for characterization and classification of computed radiography (ASTM E 2446) and radiography with DDAs (ASTM E 2597) need to be revised.