Extended synthetic aperture focusing technique for ultrasonic imaging of concrete. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoegh, Kyle; Khazanovich, Lev
• Is Part Of: NDT & E international. Volume 74(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Concrete -- Ultrasound -- Array -- SAFT -- Imaging; Nondestructive testing -- Periodicals; Contrôle non destructif -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.1127
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ndteint.2015.05.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8695

Abstract

Abstract: Quantitative nondestructive characterization of defects and inclusions in portland cement concrete structures are realized in this paper via extended reconstructions for linear array ultrasound systems. This is accomplished through generalization of traditional Kirchhoff-based synthetic aperture focusing technique migration to mitigate the effects of limited aperture and handle multiple scans as a single virtual array with increased effective aperture. Pearson's correlation is utilized to account for uncertainty in relative position of individual measurement and mitigate the need for robotic precision when placing adjacent scans. The robustness of the method is demonstrated on artificially generated data as well as in-situ measurements for assessment of internal portland cement concrete characteristics such as inclusions and cracks. Graphical abstract: Highlights: An extended ultrasonic imaging procedure is proposed. Measurement placement error tolerance eliminates the need for robotic precision. Limited aperture effect mitigation for quantitative relative reflectivity analysis. Robustness of the scheme is demonstrated via generated data. Full scale implementations validate inclusion and flaw characterization.