An advanced ultrasonic method based on signal modality for structural damage characterization on concrete: The cube problem

Abstract

Concrete is the most important material used in the construction industry for building and civil engineering. It is a heterogeneous medium composed of different materials with different mechanical and chemical properties that complicate ultrasonic inspections. Due to the important role that concrete plays in building structures, it is necessary to develop new ultrasonic techniques that afford robust results and an accurate diagnosis. In this study, a new approach based on the signal modality of ultrasonic waves is proposed. A complex damage in concrete cube specimens under different axial loads was assessed using such new technique and comparing the results with traditional ultrasonic parameters: ultrasonic pulse velocity and attenuation. © 2017 IEEE.