Automated Acoustic Scanning System for Delamination Detection in Concrete Bridge Decks

Hongbin Sun, Jinying Zhu, Suyun Ham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study, an automated acoustic scanning system was developed for rapid delamination detection on concrete bridge decks. A new ball-chain impact source was designed by combining the advantages of chain-drag (rapid testing speed) and impact-echo tests (analysis in the frequency domain). Conventional steel link chains and the new ball chains were investigated as acoustic excitation sources. Acoustic signals were processed by short-time Fourier transform (STFT) in the frequency range 0.5-5 kHz. Compared with the conventional chain-drag test, the ball-chain results show better signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), higher sensitivity, and repeatability to delamination identification. The automated scanning system includes excitation sources (ball chains), acoustic sensors (microphones), a geographic positioning system (GPS), data acquisition (oscilloscope), and a signal-processing algorithm. Acoustic scanning results are integrated with positioning data to generate an image of the scanned area in a map view. The system was validated in the field on a concrete bridge deck and was found to show satisfactory accuracy, efficiency, and repeatability.

Original languageEnglish
Article number04018027
JournalJournal of Bridge Engineering
Volume23
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Funding

This study was sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT). The Bridge Division of the NDOT is gratefully acknowledged for support during the field test.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Automated Acoustic Scanning System for Delamination Detection in Concrete Bridge Decks'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this