Application of Ultrasonic Tomography to detect defects in Concrete Structures

Abstract

Concrete is a material widely used in civil construction for structural elements. Due to this, there is an increasing concern about the knowledge of its deterioration state and safety. This stimulates research for methods that allow the evaluation of finished structures. Through the application of Nondestructive Testing (NDT) methods, it is possible to proceed with an investigation of the concrete structures. The application of NDT can contribute to problems diagnosis and quality control of concrete structures. Ultrasound Tomography (UT) tests are an attractive and feasible research strategy. UT allows mapping of the internal section of the object from projections of the same. The tomography uses an antenna, which in turn utilizes a series of dry contact point transducers that emit shear waves into the concrete structures. From the data collected by the equipment, 3D images of the element's reflected interfaces are generated. The present study aims to detect different anomalies that can be found in reinforced concrete slabs, verifying the potential of ultrasonic tomography for the detection of these anomalies. The study was performed by the technical team of the Structural Tests and Materials Laboratory at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (LEME / UFRGS).