FPGA: Field programmable gate array-based four-channel embedded system for ultrasonic imaging of under-water concrete...

Area of Science:

• Civil Engineering
• Materials Science
• Non-Destructive Testing

Background:

• Evaluating the quality and safety of concrete structures is crucial in civil engineering.
• Imaging internal details of concrete and reinforced cement concrete (RCC) is challenging due to material heterogeneity.
• Existing methods may require access from multiple sides or lack real-time capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a novel real-time, re-configurable, four-channel embedded system for imaging internal concrete structures.
• To enable non-destructive evaluation (NDE) with automated, one-sided access using ultrasonic pulse-echo (PE) mode.
• To overcome challenges in imaging non-homogeneous concrete materials.

Main Methods:

• Developed a four-channel embedded system with a graphical user interface (GUI) for automated data acquisition (DAQ).
• Utilized a universal serial bus (USB) interface for computer control of DAQ parameters.
• Employed water immersion pulse-echo (PE) mode with 92 kHz linear array transducers for imaging concrete test blocks.

Main Results:

• Successfully acquired B-Scan images revealing internal details of concrete test blocks.
• The system accurately visualized and sized side drilled holes (SDHs) and simulated inclusions.
• Demonstrated the capability to image internal features of M20 grade concrete samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed four-channel ultrasonic imaging system effectively visualizes internal details of concrete structures.
• The system is suitable for NDE of under-water structures like bridges and sea links, providing 2-D cross-sectional images.
• This automated, one-sided access system offers a promising solution for concrete structure assessment.