An implantable module device for crack imaging using concrete-adapted time reversal imaging algorithm

Abstract

Time reversal (TR) techniques due to their spatial and temporal focusing characteristics, have been increasing applied in damage evaluation. Since probing waves strongly attenuate in concrete material, imaging of damage in concrete using conventional time reversal imaging (TRI) algorithm often requires a large number of deployed transducers to minimize unexpected artifacts. To relieve economic burden and fussy installation induced by massive transducers, this paper develops a small number of transducers-enabled concrete-adapted time reversal imaging (CATRI) algorithm using implantable technology. The CATRI algorithm adopts a compensation factor to overcome wave attenuation and eliminate artifacts during crack imaging process. The implantable technology is achieved by a designed concrete implantable module (CIM) device that can be easily implanted into concrete structures. The performances of the CIM device and CATRI algorithm were numerically and experimentally studied. The results show that the proposed techniques overcome the strong wave attenuation-induced problems and successfully identify crack regions. The comparison of imaging results by using conventional TRI algorithm highlights the superiority of the CATRI algorithm for concrete crack imaging.