Experience of using the ultrasonic low-frequency tomograph for inspection of reinforced concrete structures

Abstract

The article shows the hands-on examples of using the ultrasonic low-frequency tomograph type A1040MIRA which has been developed and created by the Research and Manufacturing company “Acoustic Control Systems” (LLC “ACS”) for detection of internal flaws in concrete and reinforced concrete structures. The device is shown to be used for detecting the bodies of unrammed concrete (discontinuities of concrete) in the framework and measuring of its residual load-bearing capacity. Furthermore, the tomograph has been found useful to evaluate consolidation of concrete in hydraulic facilities. A1040MIRA resolves the issues of measuring the thickness of a concrete structure from either both sides if readily accessible or from just one side if the access is limited, or those of measuring a layer thickness in a sandwich structure. The article shows that for reliable “reading” of the images produced by the instrument the preliminary study of the reinforcement principle of a structure, of its geometry, the configuration of the reinforcements and the working environment is required.