Structural Integrity Assessment of Concrete Using a New Nondestructive Method

摘要

A nondestructive testing (NDT) method to detect internal cracks in concrete structures is presented. The method is based on the dynamic response of flawed concrete structures subjected to impact loading. The present method uses non-contacting devices for both impact generation (a shock tube producing shock waves) and response monitoring (laser vibrometers measuring concrete surface velocity). Experimental and numerical (finite element) studies are carried out for concrete specimens containing artificial defects (penny-shaped cracks parallel to the free surface) with varying length and depth. It is seen that the present method enables an effective detection of defects, particularly in the range of shallow defects.