1. Home
  2. TRID
  3. View Record
https://www.nationalacademies.org/trb/events

Bio-Inspired "MRI" of Concrete Bridges using Waveform-Based Ultrasonic Tomography

This Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) project developed an innovative measurement and data processing approach of waveform-based ultrasonic tomography to generate tomographic images of sub-surface defects in structural concrete using a single measurement linear wave velocity method and an acoustic nonlinearity coefficient. The evaluation of waveform-based ultrasonic tomography of concrete test specimens led to optimal design parameters of the methodology and appropriate sensor distribution and transmitting signal frequencies. The ultrasonic tomography model was initially developed using numerical data obtained from COMSOL Multiphysics software to simulate concrete damage and to identify an ideal frequency and wave mode to detect subsurface defects. Numerical simulations revealed that inclusions were identified on a tomographic map produced via linear wave velocity using a frequency of 300 kHz and a configuration of 16 arrayed transmitter and receiver sensors. However, linear ultrasonics limits the resolution of the wavelength, especially in heterogeneous materials, leading to the hypothesis that nonlinear ultrasonics and the incorporation of sub-wavelength imaging, or second-order harmonics, will generate tomographic maps (imaging) that reveal improved identification and resolution of subsurface concrete damage. Not only did the study confirm this, but the number of required transmitter and receiver sensors was significantly less using nonlinear versus linear tomography, indicated by the improved resolution of the former in concrete specimens with prescribed inclusions at a depth of 200 mm. Next, linear and nonlinear tomography were compared in a large-scale post-tested concrete-sectioned bridge girder that had been strengthened using a novel hybrid matrix composite (HMC) during hurricane wave-force loading. Nonlinear tomography revealed a significant presence of nonlinearity, indicating deep subsurface damage that conventional linear ultrasonics did not reveal. Lastly, in cooperation with Chicago DOT and Illinois DOT, a field study of a concrete bridge pier for interstate I-55 revealed several pragmatic challenges, including sensor coupling and a convoluted cabling architecture, leading to inconsistent measurements. Although nonlinear ultrasonics is fundamentally promising in the detection of deep subsurface concrete damage – indicated by the sudden increase in the measured nonlinearity coefficient through certain cross sections along the height of the pier – additional research is needed to make this approach field-conducive and to allow it to be compared to other NDE methods. In summary, the significant findings of this research are as follows: (1) Several transmitter-receiver array configurations were identified for concrete to ascertain a viable “resolution-range” to identify inclusion characteristics, e.g., low versus high impedance; (2) Development of a single-measurement algorithm to obtain linear and nonlinear ultrasonic data; (3) Acoustic nonlinearity coefficients in ultrasonic tomography to improve defect resolution.

  • Record URL:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This research was conducted by PowerPolymer, LLC and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
  • Authors:
    • Attard, Thomas
    • Ozevin, Didem
  • Publication Date: 2022-1

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Edition: Final Report
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 36p
  • Serial:
  • Publication flags:

    Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01846020
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: NCHRP IDEA Project 205-A
  • Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
  • Created Date: May 22 2022 4:47PM