Analytische Chemie
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2D evaluation of spectral LIBS data derived from heterogeneous materials using cluster algorithm
(2017)
Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is capable of providing spatially resolved element maps in regard to the chemical composition of the sample. The evaluation of heterogeneous materials is often a challenging task, especially in the case of phase boundaries. In order to determine information about a certain phase of a material, the need for a method that offers an objective evaluation is necessary. This paper will introduce a cluster algorithm in the case of heterogeneous building materials (concrete) to separate the spectral information of non-relevant aggregates and cement matrix. In civil engineering, the information about the quantitative ingress of harmful species like Cl−, Na+ and SO2−4 is of great interest in the evaluation of the remaining lifetime of structures (Millar et al., 2015; Wilsch et al., 2005). These species trigger different damage processes such as the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) or the chloride-induced corrosion of the reinforcement. Therefore, a discrimination between the different phases, mainly cement matrix and aggregates, is highly important (Weritz et al., 2006). For the 2D evaluation, the expectation-maximizationalgorithm (EM algorithm; Ester and Sander, 2000) has been tested for the application presented in this work. The method has been introduced and different figures of merit have been presented according to recommendations given in Haddad et al. (2014). Advantages of this method will be highlighted. After phase separation, non-relevant information can be excluded and only the wanted phase displayed. Using a set of samples with known and unknown composition, the EM-clustering method has been validated regarding to Gustavo González and Ángeles Herrador (2007).
This paper will address the relevance of chloride measurements in practice for durability condition assessment and a description of the working principle of LIBS will be given. Examples of chloride profiles obtained by the common wet chemical analysis will be shown and compared with results from LIBS measurements as to demonstrate the accuracy of the LIBS-technique. The latter will be supported by clear graphs. In addition examples on the extra information resulting from measurements performed with LIBS for improvement of condition assessment and prediction will be shown.
The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a laser spectroscopic method which allows a time efficient, minor-destructive, chemical analysis of materials. In principle all elements on the periodic table can be simultaneously analysed by using LIBS, regardless of the state of aggregation. LIBS offers numerous applications in the field of civil engineering; most importantly the analysis of building materials. This work will focus on the evaluation of concrete structures and harmful substances which can penetrate the concrete. A variety of information can be collected through LIBS. Determining the concentration of harmful substances like chloride, sodium or sulphur, the examination of the carbonation depth and the distinction between varying layers of materials (e.g. aggregates, cement paste, metals, etc.) are possible applications. All this information can be provided through one LIBS measurement in the form of a high resolution 2D element map, with resolutions up to 0.1 mm x 0.1 mm. To scan a concrete surface only an optical access is needed. To create a depth profile of an intruding substance the extraction of a drill core is necessary. Onsite measurements via LIBS can be conducted by using a mobile version of the LIBS system. Through using calibration curves LIBS allows not only the qualitative but also quantitative analysis of element concentrations. All those prospects make LIBS a trendsetting method to secure the integrity of infrastructures in a sustainable manner. A variety of examples which show the performance and results of LIBS analysis will be presented.
A big part of the infrastructure is made of concrete, which is a multiphase system made of cement, aggregates, water and pores. Concrete is often used in combination with steel as reinforced concrete. Environmental influences, especially the ingress of harmful ions in combination with the ingress of water, trigger different damage processes which reduce the designed lifetime of a structure. The ingress of chlorides from de-icing salt or sea water leads to corrosion of the reinforcement. In addition, the carbonation of the concrete may trigger the corrosion of the reinforcement. The ingress of alkalis from deicing salts may cause the expansion of the amorphous silica aggregates (alkali-silica reaction) through
formation of a swelling gel of calcium silicate hydrate if water is present. The ingress of sulphates may cause spalling of the concrete surface due to ettringite formation.
For the standard procedure in civil engineering cores are taken, cut in slices, grinded and the obtained homogenized powder is solved in acid and investigated by standard procedures.
BAM has developed the LIBS technique for the 2D evaluation of the chemical composition of concrete. The technique is established for automated laboratory use with high numbers of samples to investigate transport processes of harmful species (Cl-, CO2 , SO4 2-and alkalis) in concrete. Information about ingress depth and the quantitative values are important to estimate the remaining lifetime of the infrastructure. LIBS is a surface technique. To get information about the ingress depth, a drill core has to be taken and cut in the middle. The measurements are carried out at the cross section. The main advantages of LIBS are the direct measurement on the surface of the concrete, fast analysis (sample rate 100 Hz) with a spatial resolution of up to 100 µm, the consideration of the heterogeneity of the concrete and the possibility of automated measurements which save a lot of manpower and time. As an example the investigation of ingress profiles for standard diffusion and migration tests in civil engineering takes hours in comparison to just a few minutes using LIBS. At the same time a 2D-evaluation provides information about hot spots of elemental concentration which may not be found by standard methods.
The state of the art of LIBS technique for applications in civil engineering will be presented, including typical results of 2D investigation of concrete in laboratory. The performance is also demonstrated by examples for onsite applications using a mobile LIBS system. The road map to standardization is presented as well.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a combination of laser ablation and optical emission spectroscopy. Due to the possibility of direct measurements on the sample surface with a minimum of sample preparation investigations of building materials can be conducted quite fast. In combination with a scanning technique (translation stage or scanning mirrors head) 2D element distributions of harmful species like chlorides and alkalis are evaluated with a sub-mm resolution. By scanning a surface of typically 100 mm x 100 mm the heterogeneity of the material may be considered. LIBS is capable to identify hot spots in element concentration with a resolution of 0.1 mm or even smaller. A LIBS-system for the on-site application on building materials is, in cooperation with system developers and companies which will use this technique for investigation on real structures, under test at BAM. We present an example. Further work will focus on providing guidelines to establish LIBS as a standard procedure for chemical investigations of building materials.