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Fault detection for linear parameter varying systems under changes in the process noise covariance
(2020)
Detecting changes in the eigenstructure of linear systems is a comprehensively investigated subject. In particular, change detection methods based on hypothesis testing using Gaussian residuals have been developed previously. In such residuals, a reference model is confronted to data from the current system. In this paper, linear output-only systems depending on a varying external physical parameter are considered. These systems are driven by process noise, whose covariance may also vary between measurements. To deal with the varying parameter, an interpolation approach is pursued, where a limited number of reference models – each estimated from data measured in a reference state – are interpolated to approximate an adequate reference model for the current parameter. The problem becomes more complex when the different points of interpolation correspond to different noise conditions. Then conflicts may arise between the detection of changes in the eigenstructure due to a fault and the detection of changes due to different noise conditions. For this case, a new change detection approach is developed based on the interpolation of the eigenstructure at the reference points. The resulting approach is capable of change detection when both the external physical parameter and the process noise conditions are varying. This approach is validated on a numerical simulation of a mechanical system.
A shell test bench was developed at BAM 5.3 which allows for static and fatigue testing of curved fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) structures, during which in-situ the damage state can be non-destructively inspected by thermography and strain-field measurement techniques. Sandwich shell specimens with typical wind turbine blade manufacturing defects were designed and tested. The tested imperfections show a fairly significant reduction (up to 90%) of the shell test specimens‘ lifetime, depending on the type of imperfection. Using the in-situ NDT methods incorporated in the shell test bench, the location and cycle time of the initial defects and the damage evolution was investigated.
Monopiles are currently the predominant foundation type for offshore wind turbines in Europe. Due to the increasing dimensions of the turbines, pile diameters beyond 10m become necessary. A design-relevant failure mode of monopiles is the local buckling of the pile wall in the embedded sections. Relevant buckling guidelines do not consider the soil-structure interaction specifically, although the embedment may allow for a reduction of wall thickness. However, Eurocode-based design concepts require a validation with comparative buckling cases for validation, either in terms of buckling curve parameters for both the algebraic stress-based and semi-numerical LBA/MNA design concept or as a calibration factor kGMNIA for fully numerical GMNIA calculations. These parameters are not yet available for embedded shells. To close this gap, we have conducted experiments on piles embedded in sand to investigate local buckling under soil-structure-interaction. The results will be used to calibrate numerical models. This research was carried out as part of the VERBATIM research project, funded by PTJ/BMWK and supported by the Carbon Trust's Offshore Wind Accelerator consortium.
Erosion of soils affects both natural landscapes and engineering constructions as embankment dams or levees. Improving the safety of such earthen structures requires in particular finding out more about the elementary mechanisms involved in soil erosion. Towards this end, an experimental work was undertaken in three steps. First, several model materials were developed, made of grains (mostly glass beads) with solid bridges at particle contacts whose mechanical yield strength can be continuously varied. Furthermore, for most of them, we succeeded in obtaining a translucent system for the purpose of direct visualization. Second, these materials were tested against surface erosion by an impinging jet to determine a critical shear stress and a kinetic coefficient. Note that an adapted device based on optical techniques (combination of Refractive Index Matching and Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence) was used specifically for the transparent media. Third, some specifically developed mechanical tests, and particularly traction tests, were implemented to estimate the mechanical strength of the solid bridges both at micro-scale (single contact) and at macro-scale (sample) and to investigate a supposed relationship with soil resistance to erosion.
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.
POD is the most often used approach for the evaluation of the reliability of non-destructive testing methods in critical areas. But especially for those cases the requirements for a sufficient amount of data, adequate type of defects and the statistical requirements are high. The claim for checking these requirements is not new, but never the less often ignored. Especially the large amount of data for critical real defects seems too often to be not really solvable. In this presentation we show an approach to use real defect data with knowledge from former testing results with the same equipment, in a useful adequate way. Furthermore we introduce a method to evaluate the real defect description parameters for the radiographic testing. This approach was used for a joint project with the company POSIVA, which is building a final depository for spent nuclear fuel in Finland. Radiographic testing is one of the NDT-methods they use to test the electron beam weld of the copper canister. The copper canister will be used in the deposit as a corrosion barrier within the deposit concept. Through the high sophisticated manufacturing methods of the canister there are almost no material defects, which could be used for reliability evaluation. In this context the idea of Bayesian Updating of the POD with real defect data with former results from artificial defect data was born to get a useful evaluation.
The usefulness and purpose of evaluating nondestructive testing (NDT) systems and their capabilities has changed in the last decade. The conventional method of simply applying a familiar statistical algorithm to say whether the system is usable for the tasks is history.
Nowadays, multiple parameter methods which describe the probabilities of detection (POD) of different systems or real defects need new characteristics and a broader variety of statistical models to describe the true system behaviour. The appraisal of the NDT system involves diverse departments within a company (engineering, NDT-operators, and statisticians), but is, at the same time, more needed and requested than in the past. In this article, an approach is discussed in which professionals from different fields worked well together, accomplishing cost-intensive metallographic studies in correlation with well-understood physical behaviour of NDT-methods as well as deep-discussed mathematical methods to create a holistic evaluation of the technical reliability for a specific radiographic testing (RT) equipment. The first part of the publication will show the comparison between metallographic grinding and the RT indications. An essential innovation over past evaluation methods was the use of a multi-scale smoothing algorithm, which describes physical parameters, which were not used in evaluation like the POD in this way in the past.
In the second part the statistical requirements for the POD take the focus. It can often be hard to make significant statements; especially in the case where only a small amount of data is available. The combination of data and the use of knowledge from simulations are essential. One possible solution will be shown for the RT evaluation. The methodology is used for evaluating the digital RT system for the inspection of electron-beam welds, which was method considered to seal the Finnish copper canisters for the final deposit of spent nuclear fuel.
In the 21st century, adequate habitat and functioning infrastructure are critical for global societal and economic stability. In addition, growing urbanisation and environmental pollution cause challenges to societies.
With increasing velocity, humanity faces that the current way of living is not sustainable. Thus, habitat,infrastructure, urbanisation, environment and sustainability are definitively among the most striking challenges of the 21st century.
By consulting, planning, building, maintaining, exploiting and processing of global resources, civil engineers contribute significantly to the existence of these challenges. This is a high responsibility, but due to the heavy involvement, together with adjacent disciplines such as architecture, geosciences, chemistry,
physics, environmental sciences and economics, civil engineers also hold the key to mitigate these challenges and provide a brighter global future.
Solutions towards greener, more sustainable and economically viable materials do exist, and there is ongoing research on how greener technologies can contribute to better livelihood and economic growth, but their level of implementation is limited, a major reason for which is that these approaches require more fundamental understanding rather than standard application.
A permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) servo drive for lightweight robotic platforms that have a high torque demand at low rotational speeds has been developed. First, a current-independent torque controller is derived and cascaded with a speed and position controller, while merely an encoder is used as a sensor device in combination with a speed estimator. Finally, the speed estimator output is compared to gyroscope measurements and the overall functioning is verified on a real system.
The Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method (SBFEM) is a semi-analytical method that shows promising results in modelling of guided ultrasonic waves. Efficiency and low computational cost of the method are achieved by a discretisation of the boundary of a computational domain only, whereas for the domain itself the analytical solution is used. By means of the SBFEM different types of defects, e.g. cracks, pores, delamination, corrosion, integrated into a structure consisting of anisotropic and isotropic materials can be modelled.
In this contribution, the SBFEM is used to analyse the propagation of guided waves in a structure consisting of an isotropic metal bonded to anisotropic carbon fibre reinforced material. The method allows appropriate wave types (modes) to be identified and to analyse their interaction with different defects. Results obtained are used to develop a structural health monitoring system for composite pressure vessels used in automotive and aerospace industries.
Investigations on weldability often deal with hot cracking as one of the most prevalent failure mechanisms during weld fabrication. The modified varestraint transvarestraint hot cracking test (MVT) is well known to assess the hot cracking susceptibility of materials. The shortcoming of this approach is that the information is only from the very near surface region which inhibits access to the characteristic of the hot crack network in the bulk. Here, we report about an alternative approach to monitor the entire 3D hot crack network after welding by means of microfocus X-ray computer tomography (µCT). However, to provide sufficient high spatial resolution small samples must be sectioned from the MVT-welded joint. The sampling is accompanied by local relaxation of the residual stress distributions that are induced by welding, which can have an impact on the crack volumes prior to the sampling. The studies were carried out to investigate the hot cracking susceptibility of low transformation temperature filler materials (LTT). As high compression residual stresses up to -600 MPa in the area of the crack networks were determined by means of the contour method, stress relaxation caused by sectioning for µCT sample extraction can affect the detectability of the cracks later on. X-ray diffraction studies revealed surface residual stress relaxations up to about 400 MPa due to cutting. To investigate this effect, the specimens with hot cracks were subjected to a load test with known stress states. The results clearly show that local stress relaxations will have a strong impact on the volume images reconstructed from tomography analysis. This effect must be considered during hot crack assessment on basis of µCT data.
Owners or operators of offshore wind farms perform inspections to collect information on the condition of the wind turbine support structures and perform repairs if required. These activities are costly and should be optimized. Risk-based methods can be applied to identify inspection and repair strategies that ensure an optimal balance between the expected total service life cost of inspection and repair, and the achieved risk reduction. Such an optimization requires explicit modeling of repairs. In this paper, the impact of different repair models on the results of a risk-based optimization of inspection and repair strategies is quantified in a numerical example considering a jacket-type steel frame subject to high-cycle fatigue. The example showed that, in this specific application, there is no need for detailed modeling of the behavior of repaired welded connections.
Self-healing agents have the potential to restore mechanical properties and extend service life of composite materials. Thermoplastic healing agents have been extensively investigated for this purpose in epoxy matrix composites due to their strong adhesion to epoxy and their ability to fill in microcracks. One of the most
investigated thermoplastic additives for this purpose is poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA). Despite the ability of thermoplastic healing agents to restore mechanical properties, it is important to assess how the addition of thermoplastic healing agents affect properties of the original epoxy material. In this work, EMAA was added to epoxy resin and the effect of the additive on fracture toughness of epoxy was evaluated. Results indicate that although added in low concentrations, EMAA can affect fracture toughness.
Magneto-resistive (MR) sensor arrays are suited for high resolution eddy current testing (ET) of aerospace components due to two significant advantages compared to conventional coil systems. First, to obtain high spatial resolution they can be manufactured down to the µm-regime without losing their outstanding field sensitivity. Secondly, MR technology has a relatively frequency-independent sensitivity in the range of common ET-frequencies thus providing a benefit for low frequency applications.
This paper presents measurements using MR array probes consisting of 32 TMR-elements (tunnel magneto resistance), an ASIC, and subsequent readout components. A source for generating the eddy currents inside the material under test is also implemented onboard of the PCB. These probes were developed in the IMAGIC-project* for detection and imaging of surface breaking defects.
The performance of the new sensor system has been investigated for several mock-ups, Aluminum and Titanium plate specimens having small adjacent boreholes with diameter of 0.44 mm and micro notches in the µm-range, respectively. To compare our results we used conventional eddy current probes. The MR sensor elements have a length of around 60 µm leading to a nearly 'point like' measurement. Neighbouring boreholes (depth 0.25 mm) with a separation of 0.6 mm between their centres could be resolved with a good SNR, and more important, the boreholes could be confidently distinguished using the TMR-probes. In case of conventional probes a reliable separation was not possible. In this paper we present the MR-ET-probes of the IMAGIC consortium and a comparison with conventional techniques.
*The IMAGIC-project ('Integrated Magnetic imagery based on spIntronics Components', 2011 – 2014, project reference: 288381) was funded by the European Commission, Seventh Framework Programme. Further partners involved in the consortium beside BAM and CEA were INESC-ID and INESC-MN (Portugal), Sensitec GmbH (Germany), Tecnatom S.A. (Spain), and Airbus Group (France).
Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composite (UHPFRC) offers several advantages compared to concrete, notably due to the strain hardening behavior under tensile actions. Structures made of this composite material are lightweight and highly durable, thanks to the UHPFRC waterproofing quality. Nonetheless, the tensile behavior leads to a different cracking pattern than conventional concrete and is not fully understood yet. This paper presents a combined approach using both passive ultrasonic (US) stress wave (or acoustic emission) and active US stress wave monitoring to localize and quantify damage progression in a full-scale UHPFRC beam during experimental load testing. The proposed monitoring approach involves 24 US transducers that are embedded randomly throughout a 4.2- meter-long laboratory UHPFRC T-beam. Continuous monitoring enabled accurate localization of US stress sources caused by loading-induced cracking as well as from pulses generated by the embedded US transducers. This study shows that it is possible to predict the location and shape of the macro-crack that is linked to structural failure early on, i.e., just after the end of the elastic domain. This combined approach opens new possibilities to monitor the structural behavior and detect damage on UHPFRC structures before they affect the structural behavior in terms of deflection and strain.
A new patented dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is presented, where the tensile, bending- or torsional stiffness of a media can be characterized in-situ during the phase transition from liquid to solid. An epoxy system, e.g. Hexion L285/H287, is filled into an elastomer container, such as a silicone tube. This can be mounted into a conventional OMA and, based on a linear viscoelastic approach, the storage modulus (E';G'), the loss modulus (E'';G'') and the loss angle tan(δ) can be measured at constant temperature as a function of time in order to investigate the liquid to sol-gel to solid transition. With this new method, the stiffness increase as a result of the cure process can be directly measured more precisely than with a rheometer in a shear plate set-up, because using an elastomer container gives a defined cross section for calculating the Young's modulus.
A finite element tearing and interconnecting (FETI) approach for phase-field models and Gradient enhanced damage models is presented. These diffusive crack models can solve fracture mechanics problems by integrating a set of partial differential equations and thus avoid the explicit treatment of discontinuities. However, they require a fine discretization in the vicinity of the crack. FETI methods distribute the computational cost among multiple processors and thus speed up the computation.
Fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP) especially carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass-fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) are commonly used materials in high pressure vessels and storage units for automotive and aerospace purposes. Optical fibres are suitable to be integrated or directly applied to the surface of FRP components. Using optical fibres it is possible to monitor the distributed strain profiles and changes within the fatigue life of a pressure vessel to ensure the operational safety. Within artificial ageing experiments we used swept wavelength interferometry (SWI) based distributed strain sensing for the monitoring of commercial high-pressure composite cylinder. This artificial ageing was performed using test conditions of 503bar pressure load (service pressure 300 bar) and 89 °C for 100 h. The polyimide coated optical fibres were glued to the surface externally in circumferential and axial direction. Using distributed strain sensing (DSS) material expansion of over 0.5% were monitored with sub-centimetre spatial resolution. Within the circumferential direction we observed up to 10 % local fluctuation compared to the median strain caused by inhomogeneous material expansion, which could cause local material fatigue. In addition, we determined material degradation manifested itself as localized remaining material expansion and/or contraction. Results have been validated by other non-destructive methods like digital strip projection.
We present a distributed polymer optical fiber sensor system for deformation monitoring of geotechnical infrastructure. The sensor system is based on the digital incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (I-OFDR) for the detection of local strain events along a perfluorinated polymer optical fiber (PF-POF) used as a sensing fiber. For the best possible load transfer, the PF-POFs were integrated onto geosynthetics which pose a sensor carrier for the sensing fiber. By using elastic PF-POF instead of a standard glass fiber as a sensing fiber the strain range of geosynthetics-integrated fiber optic sensors could be extended up to 10 % in accordance with the end-user requirements.
Distributed fiber optic strain sensing for structural health monitoring of 70 MPa hydrogen vessels
(2024)
We report on the development and testing of 70 MPa hydrogen pressure vessels with integrated fiber optic sensing fibers for automotive use. The paper deals with the condition monitoring of such composite pressure vessels (CPVs) using the optical backscatter reflectometry (OBR) applied for a distributed fiber optic strain sensing along fully integrated polyimide-coated single-mode glass optical fiber (SM-GOF). The sensing fibers were embedded into the vessel structure by wrapping them over the polymer liner during the manufacturing process of the carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). Detecting local strain events by the integrated fiber optic sensors can be an opportunity for monitoring the material degradation of CPVs under static and cyclic loading.
In this work, we present our results achieved in several research activities for development of distributed fiber optic radiation sensors using glass and polymer optical fibers. The findings show that both the measurement of the radiation-induced attenuation (RIA) along the entire sensing fiber and the accompanying change in the refractive index of the fiber core can be used for distributed radiation monitoring.
In this work, we report on our progress for investigating a new experimental approach for thermographic detection of internal defects by performing 2D photothermal super resolution reconstruction. We use modern high-power laser projector technology to repeatedly excite the sample surface photothermally with varying spatially structured 2D pixel patterns. In the subsequent (blind) numerical reconstruction, multiple measurements are combined by exploiting the joint-sparse nature of the defects within the specimen using nonlinear convex optimization methods. As a result, a 2D-sparse defect/inhomogeneity map can be obtained. Using such spatially structured heating combined with compressed sensing and computational imaging methods allows to significantly reduce the experimental complexity and to study larger test surfaces as compared to the one-dimensional approach reported earlier.
Early detection of fatigue cracks and accurate measurements of the crack growth play an important role in the maintenance and repair strategies of steel structures exposed to cyclic loads during their service life. Observation of welded connections is especially of high relevance due to their higher susceptibility to fatigue damage. The aim of this contribution was to monitor fatigue crack growth in thick welded specimens during fatigue tests as holistically as possible, by implementing multiple NDT methods simultaneously in order to record the crack initiation and propagation until the final fracture. In addition to well-known methods such as strain gauges, thermography, and ultrasound, the crack luminescence method developed at the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), which makes cracks on the surface particularly visible, was also used. For data acquisition, a first data fusion concept was developed and applied in order to synchronize the data of the different methods and to evaluate them to a large extent automatically. The resulting database can ultimately also be used to access, view, and analyze the experimental data for various NDT methods. During the conducted fatigue tests, the simultaneous measurements of the same cracking process enabled a comprehensive comparison of the methods, highlighting their individual strengths and limitations. More importantly, they showed how a synergetic combination of different NDT methods can be beneficial for implementation in large-scale fatigue testing but also in monitoring and inspection programs of in-service structures - such as the support structures of offshore wind turbines.
Capillary active interior insulation materials are an important approach to minimize energy losses of historical buildings. A key factor for their performance is a high liquid conductivity, which enables redistribution of liquid moisture within the material. We set up an experiment to investigate the development of moisture profiles within two different interior insulation materials, calcium-silicate (CaSi) and expanded perlite (EP), under constant boundary conditions. The moisture profiles were determined by two different methods: simple destructive sample slicing with subsequent thermogravimetric drying as well as non-destructive NMR measurements with high spatial resolution. The moisture profiles obtained from both methods show good agreement, when compared at the low spatial resolution of sample slicing, which demonstrates the reliability of this method. Moreover, the measured T2-relaxation-time distributions across the sample depth were measured, which may give further insight into the saturation degree of the different pore sizes. In order to explain differences in the moisture profiles between CaSi and EP, we determined their pore-size distribution with different methods: conversion of the NMR T2 relaxationtime distribution at full saturation, mercury intrusion porosimetry and indirect determination from pressure plate measurements. CaSi shows a unimodal distribution at small pore diameters, while in EP, a bi-modal or wider distribution was found. We assume that the smaller pore diameters of CaSi lead to a higher capillary conductivity, which causes a more distributed moisture profile in comparison with that of EP.
Defect detection in concrete pile using impulse response measurements with sine sweep excitations
(2015)
For pile integrity inspection, a low cost and portable shaker was used to create the sine sweep signal for pile excitation. The impulse response function, calculated by the deconvolution of pile response from the sine sweep excitation, was proposed to identify the echoes in the piles due to the pile’s impedance changes. The proposed methodology has been evaluated and validated both numerically and experimentally. Based on the results from the simulations and experiments, it was found that the impulse response measurement with sine sweep excitation could be an effective tool to detect the echoes of the pile toe and the defects in the pile.
Damage caused by stress concentrations in the complex mesoscopic geometry of concrete leads to continuous stress redistribution over the material’s life time. The presented fatigue damage model
captures this by resolving each load cycle in a cycle-by-cycle time integration. The model extends a static damage model to failure caused by the (time dependent) strain amplitudes and, thus, allows calibrating the majority of the material’s parameters in static experiments.
X5CrNiCuNb16-4 has been proven to be sufficient resistant in corrosive environments, but shows rather unusual corrosion behaviour in CCS environment. Therefore a series of 30 specimens was tested at stress amplitudes between 150 MPa and 500 MPa (sinusoidal dynamic test loads, R=-1; resonant frequency ∼ 30 Hz). Due to the rather heterogeneous fine machined surfaces (Rz=4) the specimens are comparable with prefabricated parts. X5CrNiCuNb16-4 reached the maximum number of cycles (10 x 106) at a stress amplitude of 150 MPa and lies 60% below the stress amplitude measured in air. The scatter range TN = 1:34 is disproportionately large. Although the fracture surface exhibited the typical striations and corroded surface areas no significant differences were found. The hardness was found to be homogeneous in all specimens tested at 335 HV10. Non-metallic inclusions were found within the microstructure, but no correlation could be found between the inclusions and early rupture. Still specimens that showed inclusions at the fracture surface and its cross section endured lower number of cycles. Additionally Aluminium was analysed in specimens with low number of cycles and may be cause for early rupture during corrosion fatigue tests. These findings reveal a very high sensitivity on a homogeneous microstructure upon the corrosion and corrosion fatigue behaviour of X5CrNiCuNb16-4 and needs to be taken into account when regarding this steel as pipe steel during injection of CO2 into saline aquifers.
The moisture content of screed samples is monitored by means of embedded sensors. Relative humidity sensors and multi-ring-electrodes are used to measure the spatial moisture distribution during desorption. Based on the humidity data and the pore volume distribution, the moisture and the water layer thickness within the pore space are predicted.
Slit shape as well as cylindrical pores are evaluated. Finally, the measured real part of the electrical impedance and the calculated water layer thickness are correlated. Based on the available data, a significant trend change of the impedance is documented at a water layer thickness of approximately 3 nm. This water layer thickness corresponds to a relative humidity of 88.3%.
A novel approach to strongly suppress artifacts in radiography and computed tomography caused by the effect of diffuse background Signals (backlight) of 2D X-ray detectors is suggested. Depending on the detector geometry the mechanism may be different, either based on the optical scattering of the fluorescent screen materials into optical detection devices or Compton or X-ray fluorescence scattering by the detector components. Consequently, these erroneous intensity portions result in locally different violations of Lambert Beers law in single projections (radiographs).
When used as input data for computed tomography these violations are directly observed via modulation of the projected mass as a function of the rotation Phase and the samples aspect ratio (dynamics). The magnitude of the diffuse Background signal depends on the detector area covered by the projected sample. They are more pronounced the smaller the shaded area and the stronger the total attenuation.
Moreover, the local intensity mismatch depends on the attenuation of the sample.
We present very basic reference data measured with multiple metal foils at a synchrotron radiation source. Beam hardening artifacts can be excluded due to the monochromatic radiation. The proposed correction procedure assumes a constant (non-local) scattering mechanism.
A new type of ultrasonic borehole probe is currently under development for the quality assurance of sealing structures in radioactive waste repositories using existing research boreholes. The goal is to examine the sealing structures made of salt concrete for possible cracks, delamination, and embedded objects. Earlier prototype probes use 12 or 16 individual dry point contact (DPC) horizontal shear wave transducers grouped into a transmitter and a receiver array, each made up of six or eight individual transducers. They are operated with a commercially available portable ultrasonic flaw detector used in the civil engineering industry. To increase the generated sound pressure of the borehole probe, the number of transducers in the novel probe is increased to 32. In addition, timed excitation of each probe is used to direct a focused sound beam to a specific angle and distance based on calculated time delays. Hence, the sensitive test volume is limited, and the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signals is improved. This paper presents the validation of the newly developed phased array borehole probe by beam computation in CIVA software and experimental investigations on a semi-cylindrical test specimen to investigate the directional characteristics. In combination with geophysical reconstruction techniques, an optimised radiation pattern of the probe is expected to improve the signal quality and thus increase the reliability of the imaging results.
This is of great importance for the construction of safe sealing structures needed for the disposal of radioactive or toxic waste.
With ongoing innovation in process technology, the challenges of concrete technology are more and more focused on the rheological optimisation for these processes, since improper mixture stability or poor compaction ability negatively affect the concrete homogeneity and quality. However, along with the increasing complexity of today’s concrete mixture compositions, concrete becomes more prone to failure regarding the casting process. Variable properties of the raw materials typically cause changing workability. The reasons can be found among others in scattering water contents, physical or chemical properties of the cement or varying environmental temperatures. Robustness in the delicately adjusted rheology, however, is of utmost importance for modern and future process technology, from sprayed concrete over pumpable concrete towards 3D-printing, with regard to the long-term strength, the function and the durability. Typically, material induced changes cannot be identified easily due to the complex interactions of concrete constituents. Therefore, a precise and prompt counteraction is impossible. However, it is known that the yield stress can be controlled by addition of supplementary superplasticizer or stabilising agent. In combination with computerized process observation tools that can rapidly interpret and react on changes in the rheology, it is therefore thinkable, that only these two admixture types can adjust the rheology steadily and permanently, regardless of the actual root cause for observed macroscopic rheology change. The presentation will firstly give a comprehensive overview of effects at the interface between pore solution, particles and hydrates, which affect the rheology of fresh concrete. Secondly, ways are recommended how the rheology can be actively manipulated before eventually computerized methods are demonstrated that help to actively and rapidly assess and counteract performance scatter during steady casting processes.
Additive manufacturing (AM) offers a range of novel applications. However, the manufacturing process is complex and the production of defect-free parts with high reliability and durability is still a challenge. Thermography is a valuable tool for process surveillance, especially in metal AM processes. The high process temperatures allow one to use cameras usually operating in the visible spectral range. Here, we compare the results of measurements during the manufacturing process of a commercial laser metal deposition setup using a mid-wavelength-IR camera with those from a visual spectrum high-speed camera with band pass filter in the near-IR range.
At present, to produce renewable energy offshore wind farms play an important role. The available space combined with the more valuable wind conditions make offshore locations very attractive for wind powered energy production. In Europe a significant number of offshore wind farms already exist, especially in the North and Baltic Sea. In future this trend will continue, and further offshore wind farms will be built. The majority of offshore wind turbines are mounted on steel foundation structures. Due to the high-cyclic loading by wind and waves fatigue stress plays a substantial role regarding structural safety.
Besides the consideration of fatigue within the design process, to monitor existing steel structures for potential fatigue cracks during their life time is a major topic and a challenge.
For the structures of the offshore wind turbines are large and partially under water effective reliable methods for the detection of fatigue cracks are required.
This contribution presents investigations on different crack detection methods applied at high-cycle fatigue tests on small-scale welded steel samples as well as on large-scale welded steel components. The tests were conducted at the BAM laboratories. For crack detection mainly three different methods were used and compared. The first method regards to the measurement of strain by conventionally strain gauges. Secondly, the crack luminescence was used as a new and effective optical method for surface monitoring. And finally, crack detection by pressure differentials of the inner and outer section of tubular steel elements was investigated. A comparison study will emphasize the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods and show which of the described methods is potentially more suitable for an application on real offshore wind structures.
Global energy consumption will increase in the future necessitating both fossil fuels and renewable energy choices - especially wind energy. Such high energy demand requires installation of offshore energy structures, rigs, platforms and towers, which are susceptible to adverse environmental conditions along with maintenances. Due to their large size and remote locations, cylindrical grouted joints are often adopted between substructure and foundation in these offshore platforms and wind structures such as monopiles. However, these connections are composite structures with exterior sleeve, interior pile and infill mortar. Degradation and settlements were reported inside similar connections, which were installed in last three decades. Besides, grouting in the offshore sites were proven difficult to obtain ideal load bearing capacity. In-situ loading conditions were also found to be affecting the failure mechanism inside such connections. This study aims at characterizing the nature of cracks generated in these grouted connections under both static and cyclic loading. Scaled grouted joints were manufactured using a novel reusable mold, and connections were loaded to failure to visualize the main failure patterns. An assessment between failure under these two types of load is drawn along with comparison to previously available literature.
Analyzing damages at concrete structures due to physical, chemical, and mechanical exposures need the application of innovative non-destructive testing methods that are able to trace spatial changes of microstructures. Here, the utility of three different crack detection methods for the analysis of computed tomograms of various cementitious building materials is evaluated. Due to the lack of reference samples and standardized image quality evaluation procedures, the results are compared with manually segmented reference data sets. A specific question is how automatic crack detection can be used for the quantitative characterization of damage processes, such as crack length and volume. The crack detection methods have been integrated into a scientific visualization system that allows displaying the tomography images as well as presenting the results.
For the determination of safety characteristics of gases, vapors and dusts different types of ignition sources are used in international standards and guidelines. Table 1 compares technical relevant ignition sources with their main features. The paper presents test results of a comparative calorimetric and visual study between four different types of ignition sources. The ignition procedures were analyzed visually with a high-speed camera and electric recordings. In addition to that, the influence of the electrode-orientation, -distance as well as ignition energy on the reproducibility of the exploding wire igniter was tested.
The exploding wire is already in use for standardized determination of safety characteristics of gases, first tests on the suitability of the exploding wire igniter for dust testing have been carried out by Scheid et al. Using the exploding wire, the ignition energy can be varied from 2 to 10 000 J (2 x 5 000 J) and thus it could be used for gases, vapors, dusts and hybrid mixtures. Moreover it can be used at high initial pressures and it is the only ignition source with an easily measurable ignition energy release. Furthermore, it does not introduce another chemical reaction into the system.
Finally, a proposal for a standard ignition source for explosion tests on hybrid mixtures is derived from the test results.
Combustion of peroxy-fuels
(2011)
The diffusion flames of organic peroxides exhibit quite different characteristics than hydrocarbons. What makes them interesting to study is their fast burning behaviour. As a result the flame temperature enhances and so does the thermal radiation. Due to all these they demand safe handling during processing. However, they can be utilised at several places in different industries where a fuel with fast burning, high temperature and intense radiation are desired. Some of the possibilities to use them as a main or supporting fuel in a wide range of industrial utilities are the major content of this paper.
Residual stresses and distortions in welded I-girders for steel construction are relevant when evaluating the stability of steel beams and column members. The application of high strength steels allows smaller wall thicknesses compared to conventional steels. Therefore, the risk of buckling has to be considered carefully. Due to the lack of knowledge concerning the residual stresses present after welding in high strength steel components conservative assumptions of their level and distribution is typically applied. In this study I-girders made of steels showing strengths of 355 MPa and 690 MPa were welded with varying heat input. Due to the dimension of the I-girders and the complex geometry the accessibility for residual stress measurement using X-ray diffraction was limited. Therefore, saw cutting accompanied by strain gauge measurement has been used to produce smaller sections appropriate to apply X-ray diffraction. The stress relaxation measured by strain gauges has been added to residual stresses determined by X-ray diffraction to obtain the original stress level and distribution before sectioning. The combination of both techniques can produce robust residual stress values. From practical point of view afford for strain gauge application can be limited to a number of measuring positions solely to record the global amount of stress relaxation. X-ray diffraction can be applied after sectioning to determine the residual stresses with sufficient spatial resolution.
Concrete structures are invaluable assets to a society and managing them efficiently and effectively can be supported by information gathered through structural health monitoring (SHM). In this paper, a combined approach based on passive, i.e., acoustic emission (AE), and active, i.e., ultrasonic stress wave (USW) monitoring techniques for application to concrete structures is proposed and evaluated. While AE and USW are based on the same underlying physics, i.e., wave motion in solids, they differ fundamentally with respect to the nature of the source. For the former, external stimuli such as mechanical loads or temperature cause the rapid release of energy from initially unknown locations. As a result, AE events are unique and cannot be repeated. For the latter, a known source at a known location is employed at a specified time. This approach is thus controlled and repeatable. It is
argued that a combination of these two techniques has the potential to provide a more comprehensive picture of ongoing fracture processes, damage progression, as well as slowly occurring aging and degradation mechanisms.
This combined approach does thus promise new opportunities to support condition assessment of concrete structures. After providing an overview and comparison of the two techniques, results, and observations from a full-scale laboratory experiment and an in-service bridge monitoring study are discussed to demonstrate the promise of the proposed combined monitoring approach. Finally, suggestions for further work are presented.
Modelling becomes more and more important in modern NDE. It is increasingly used to optimize techniques for complex applications, to support the preparation of written procedures, and for education purposes. To describe the complete chain of RT, the model includes simulating all necessary properties of X- or Gamma-ray sources, the interaction of photons with material with special attention to scattered radiation, the detection process, and the complete geometrical RT setup handling arbitrary parts or constructions. Depending on the given inspection problem and the influencing factors that should be addressed by the simulation, an appropriate physical model has to be chosen to describe the underlying interaction mechanisms. The simulator aRTist combines analytical and Monte Carlo methods to efficiently model the radiation transport such that transmission as well as scatter techniques can be modelled. In this contribution we Focus on Monte Carlo Simulation of scatter contribution within aRTist. Examples for RT/tomographic applications and back-scatter techniques are presented to demonstrate the usability of the presented simulation tool for a broad range of radiological applications.
Combined passive ultrasonic (US) stress wave [better known as acoustic emission (AE)] and active US stress wave monitoring has been shown to provide a more holistic picture of ongoing fracture processes, damage progression, as well as slowly occurring aging and degradation mechanisms in concrete structures. Traditionally, different data analysis techniques have been used to analyze the data generated from these two monitoring techniques. For passive US stress wave monitoring, waveform amplitudes, hit rates, source localization, and b-value analysis, among others, have been used to detect and locate cracking. On the other hand, amplitude tracking, magnitude squared coherence (MSC), and coda wave interferometry (CWI) are examples of analyses that have been employed for active US stress wave monitoring. In this paper, we explore some of these data analysis techniques and show where their respective applications and limitations might be. After providing an overview of the monitoring approach and the different data analysis techniques, results and observations from selected laboratory experiments are discussed. Finally, suggestions for further work are proposed.
Ultrasonic Coda Wave interferometry has the potential to detect minute changes in scattering materials like concrete. By permanently installing ultrasonic transducers in concrete, DFG Research unit CoDA aims to develop methods for concrete damage assessment in Germany's aging infrastructure. To test the methods developed in simulations and laboratory experiments on a large scale, we have implemented several ultrasonic transducers at the Gänstorbrücke Ulm, one of Germany's most monitored road bridges. Since fall 2020 we are monitoring parts of the center of the Bridge, as well as an abutment, and compare the results to the commercial monitoring system. All data is recorded with a self-made data collection device, the so-called W-Box, and analyzed with different coda wave-based algorithms to detect signal and volumetric velocity changes. The long-term measurements show that the influence of temperature changes on strains and therefore ultrasound velocity changes calculated with coda waves can be monitored. The capabilities and limitations of the coda wave-based monitoring system are tested in a controlled experiment. Static loading using a truck with varying loads at several positions allows the calibration of the system to improve the detectability of possibly damaging loads and changes induced by this loading. A map of velocity change analyzing data from this load experiment shows that the influence of load on the material and strain distribution can be detected with array measurements.
In this study, the ability of an electronic nose developed to analyze and monitor odor emissions from three poultry farms located in Meknes (Morocco) and Berlin (Germany) was evaluated. Indeed, the potentiality of the electronic nose (e-nose) to differentiate the concentration fractions of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and ethanol was investigated. Furthermore, the impact change of relative humidity values (from 15% to 67%) on the responses of the gas sensors was reported and revealed that the effect remained less than 0.6%. Furthermore, the relevant results confirmed that the developed e-nose system was able to perfectly classify and monitor the odorous air of poultry farms.
Characterization of multiphase metal matrix composites by means of CT and neutron diffraction
(2016)
The present study examines the relationship between the microstructure of multiphase metal matrix composites and their damage mechanisms. The matrix AlSi12CuMgNi was combined with 15% vol. Al₂O₃ (short fibers), and with 7% vol. Al₂O₃ + 15% vol. SiC (short fibers and whiskers, respectively). The experimental approach encompasses 3D microstructure characterization by means of computed tomography of samples (a) as-cast, (b) after heat treatment, and (c) after compression tests at room temperature. The volume fraction of different phases, their distribution, their orientation, and the presence of defects and damage are studied.
The influence of the addition of SiC particles on mechanical properties of composite was investigated. Phase-specific load partition analysis for samples with fiber plane parallel to load was performed by using neutron diffraction (ND) during in-situ compression. ND results show damage in the Si phase, while Al₂O₃ short fibers carry load without damage until failure. The computed tomography observations confirm the load partition analysis.
Applications of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites in modern industries are increasing due to their considerable advantages such as light weight and excellent mechanical properties. Accordingly, importance of operational safety of modern structures made of advanced composites by ensuring the material quality has led to increasing demands for development of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) systems. In the context of a European project entitled “Validated Inspection Techniques for Composites in Energy Applications” (VITCEA), the aim is to develop and validate traceable procedures for novel NDE techniques with contrasting damage detection capabilities in energy related applications such as wind and marine turbine blades, nacelles, oil and gas flexible risers. Accordingly, VITCEA focuses on optimization of ultrasonic tests (UTs) for quantitative defect detection and quality characterization of FRP structures. In this context, the present study describes the ultrasound field in heterogeneous composite materials. The theoretical predictions are compared with simulation results obtained from CIVA a software package dedicated to NDT simulations based on the asymptotic ray theory.
Active thermography is well suited for the detection of delaminations and cracks in façade elements like plaster and tiles. Not only artificial heating but also solar heating can be used if the adjustment of the façade and the weather conditions are suitable. Optical methods like laser scanners, photogrammetric methods and crack tracking sensors are providing geometrical 3D data which can be used for a 3D mapping of thermograms and for providing data with higher geometrical resolution. Thus, by the combination and fusion of these data, a comprehensive mapping and monitoring of damages of façade systems is possible.
Amongst various other NDT methods, within the EMRP-project
‘VITCEA’ active thermography is validated for testing of CFRP and
GFRP structures constructed for energy application. In this
contribution, the optical and thermal properties of CFRP and GFRP
reference defect artefact (RDA) and natural defects artefact (NDA)
test specimens are characterized. Different excitation techniques
and techniques for data analysis are compared for optimizing the
number of detected defects.
The African cement, concrete and construction business is growing at rapid pace. The cement sales are expected to grow rapidly until 2050. The number of newly built cement plants increases dramatically and in addition more cements are being imported from outside the continent, e.g. from Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, and China, driven by overcapacities in the countries of origin. This causes a high number of potentials and challenges at the same time. Newly built cement plants can operate directly at best technological state of the art and thus incorporate more sustainable technologies as well as produce new and more sustainable products such as cements blended with sustainable supplementary cementitious materials such as calcined clays, and industrial or agricultural by products. At the same time the new variety of binding agent as well as the international imports, which are driven by price considerations, make the cement market prone to quality scatter. This puts pressure on the quality control regulations and institutions to ensure safety of construction, healthy application, and environmental safety for the population. The paper presents possible solutions to build up the rapidly increasing African cement production more sustainably than in the rest of the world as well as the related challenges and obstacles that need to be overcome. Based on experiences with a series of pan-African cement testing laboratory proficiency schemes conclusions are made on technical, regulative and political level.
Laboratory test results are of vital importance for correctly classifying and labelling chemicals as “hazardous” as defined in the UN Globally Harmonized System (GHS) / EC CLP Regulation or as “dangerous goods” as defined in the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Interlaboratory tests play a decisive role in assessing the reliability of laboratory test results. Interlaboratory tests performed over the last 10 years have examined different laboratory test methods. After analysing the results of these interlaboratory tests, the following conclusions can be drawn:
1. There is a need for improvement and validation for all laboratory test methods examined.
2. To avoid any discrepancy concerning the classification and labelling of chemicals, the use of validated laboratory test methods should be state of the art, with the results accompanied by the measurement uncertainty and (if applicable) the probability of incorrect classification.
This paper addresses the probability of correct/incorrect classification (for example, as dangerous goods) on the basis of the measurement deviation obtained from interlaboratory tests performed by the Centre for quality assurance for testing of dangerous goods and hazardous substances (CEQAT-DGHS) to validate laboratory test methods. This paper outlines typical results (e.g. so-called “Shark profiles” – the probability of incorrect classification as a function of the true value estimated from interlaboratory test data) as well as general conclusions and steps to be taken to guarantee that laboratory test results are fit for purpose and of high quality.
Active thermography is a fast, contactless and non-destructive technique that can be used to detect internal defects in different types of material. Volumetric irregularities such as the presence of pores in materials produced by the Additive Manufacturing processes can strongly affect the thermophysical and the mechanical properties of the final component.
In this work, an experimental investigation aimed at detecting different pores in a sample made of stainless AISI 316L produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) was carried out using pulsed thermography in reflection mode. The capability of the technique and the adopted setups in terms of geometrical and thermal resolution, acquisition frequency and energy Density of the heating source were assessed to discern two contiguous pores as well as to detect a single pore. Moreover, a quantitative indication about the minimum resolvable pore size among the available and analysed defects was provided. A powerful tool to assess the Limits and the opportunities of the pulsed technique in terms of detectability and localizability was provided by comparing active thermography results to Computed Tomography as well as a related Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to simulate the pulsed heating transfer with Comsol.