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Ultrasonic imaging in reinforced concrete with a matrix transducer phased array
The third and final protection barrier confining nuclear reactors is usually a 1m-thick concrete containment structure. Monitoring the structural integrity of these barriers is critical in ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants. The Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) in France collaborates with the French Atomic commission (CEA/LIST) to develop an ultrasonic phased-array technique capable of detecting cracks and bulk defects in these structures. The inspection is difficult since concrete granular structure severely attenuates and scatters the ultrasonic waves. Previous studies have proved the potential of ultrasound techniques in plain concrete through appropriate ultrasonic beam focusing and steering. In this paper we present an experimental study performed with up to 16 transducers on both plain and reinforced mock-ups. It shows that, with appropriate data processing, artificial defects (horizontal and tilted) deep as half a meter can be detected in both cases. The influence of the number of elements in the array on the Signal to Noise ratio is studied. Simulation tools were developed in CIVA software to predict the performance of the technique in terms of detection and characterization. The software can compute ultrasonic beam propagation and defect responses in the heterogeneous structure of concrete.
Ultrasonic imaging in reinforced concrete with a matrix transducer phased array
The third and final protection barrier confining nuclear reactors is usually a 1m-thick concrete containment structure. Monitoring the structural integrity of these barriers is critical in ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants. The Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) in France collaborates with the French Atomic commission (CEA/LIST) to develop an ultrasonic phased-array technique capable of detecting cracks and bulk defects in these structures. The inspection is difficult since concrete granular structure severely attenuates and scatters the ultrasonic waves. Previous studies have proved the potential of ultrasound techniques in plain concrete through appropriate ultrasonic beam focusing and steering. In this paper we present an experimental study performed with up to 16 transducers on both plain and reinforced mock-ups. It shows that, with appropriate data processing, artificial defects (horizontal and tilted) deep as half a meter can be detected in both cases. The influence of the number of elements in the array on the Signal to Noise ratio is studied. Simulation tools were developed in CIVA software to predict the performance of the technique in terms of detection and characterization. The software can compute ultrasonic beam propagation and defect responses in the heterogeneous structure of concrete.
Ultrasonic imaging in reinforced concrete with a matrix transducer phased array
Ultraschallabbildung von Stahlbeton mit einem phasengesteuerten Matrixgruppenstrahler
Ribay, Guillemette (author) / Paris, Olivia (author) / Rambach, Jean-Mathieu (author)
2009
6 Seiten, 6 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 5 Quellen
(nicht paginiert)
Conference paper
Storage medium
English
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