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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Strain Distribution And Crack Detection In Thin Unbonded Concrete Pavement Overlays With Fully Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors, Yi Bao, Genda Chen Jan 2016

Strain Distribution And Crack Detection In Thin Unbonded Concrete Pavement Overlays With Fully Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors, Yi Bao, Genda Chen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study aims at evaluating the feasibility of strain measurement and crack detection in thin unbonded concrete pavement overlays with pulse prepump Brillouin optical time domain analysis. Single-mode optical fibers with two-layer and three-layer coatings, respectively, were applied as fully distributed sensors, their performances were compared with analytical predictions. They were successfully protected from damage during concrete casting of three full-scale concrete panels when 5 to 10-cm-thick protective mortar covers had been set for 2 h. Experimental results from three-point loading tests of the panels indicated that the strain distributions measured from the two types of sensors were in good …


Unbonded Portland Cement Concrete Overlay/Pavement Monitoring With Integrated Grating And Scattering Optical Fiber Sensors, Genda Chen, Ying Huang, Yi Bao Jun 2014

Unbonded Portland Cement Concrete Overlay/Pavement Monitoring With Integrated Grating And Scattering Optical Fiber Sensors, Genda Chen, Ying Huang, Yi Bao

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This report summarizes the findings and results from a laboratory and field study on the strain distribution and crack development in 3" thick concrete panels cast on top of existing concrete pavements as a rapid rehabilitation strategy for roadways. Both fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) and Brillouin Optical Time Domain Reflectometry/Analysis (BOTDR/A) were applied and tested for their feasibility and effectiveness in distributed strain measurement and crack detection. For laboratory tests, six 6'×6" panels were cast similar to their corresponding field construction. Each was tested under both truck loads and under threepoint loads. The performance of distributed BOTDR/A strain measurements was …


Semiempirical Electromagnetic Modeling Of Crack Detection And Sizing In Cement-Based Materials Using Near-Field Microwave Methods, Jagadish Nadakuduti, Genda Chen, R. Zoughi Apr 2006

Semiempirical Electromagnetic Modeling Of Crack Detection And Sizing In Cement-Based Materials Using Near-Field Microwave Methods, Jagadish Nadakuduti, Genda Chen, R. Zoughi

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Detection and characterization of cracks in cement-based materials is an integral part of damage evaluation for health monitoring of civil structures. Microwave signals are able to penetrate inside of dielectric materials (e.g., cement-based materials) and are sensitive to local, physical, geometrical, and dielectric variations in a structure. This makes microwave nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) techniques suitable for inspection and health monitoring of civil structures. Near-field microwave NDT&E techniques offer the added advantage of providing high spatial resolution, requiring simple hardware that may be portable, low power, fast, real time, and robust. Additionally, these techniques are noncontact and one-sided. Besides …


Novel Distributed Cable Sensors For Detection Of Cracks In Rc Structures, Genda Chen, David Pommerenke Aug 2005

Novel Distributed Cable Sensors For Detection Of Cracks In Rc Structures, Genda Chen, David Pommerenke

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, the development of a fundamentally new, topology-based cable sensor design concept is summarized for crack detection in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The sensitivity, spatial resolution, and signal loss of sensors are investigated both numerically and experimentally. Two sensors were fabricated and validated with small- and large-scale laboratory tests under different loads. Both were proven sensitive to crack of various sizes from visually undetectable to excessive, giving the location and severity of damage simultaneously. One sensor has been installed on a three-span bridge for its long-term monitoring. It is capable of recording damage that has occurred during a …


Analysis Of The "Crack Characteristic Signal" Using A Generalized Scattering Matrix Representation, Christian J. Huber, Habibollah Abiri, R. Zoughi, Stoyan I. Ganchev Apr 1997

Analysis Of The "Crack Characteristic Signal" Using A Generalized Scattering Matrix Representation, Christian J. Huber, Habibollah Abiri, R. Zoughi, Stoyan I. Ganchev

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Electromagnetic properties of a system formed by an open-ended rectangular waveguide and a surface crack/slot in a metallic specimen are described in this paper. Scanning a crack on a metal surface changes the reflection coefficient of the incident dominant mode. A model as a function of relative crack location within the waveguide aperture (i.e., crack moving with respect to the waveguide aperture) is desired to describe and optimize practical crack detection applications. Hence, the change in the reflection coefficient for a generalized system encompassing empty, filled, and finite cracks located at an arbitrary position inside the waveguide aperture, is evaluated. …


Detecting Stress And Fatigue Cracks, Christian J. Huber, R. Zoughi Oct 1996

Detecting Stress And Fatigue Cracks, Christian J. Huber, R. Zoughi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Discoveries in using open ended rectangular waveguides for microwave surface crack detection and sizing have generated interest. The foundation, potential, advantages and disadvantages of this methodology, developed at the Applied Microwave Nondestructive Testing Laboratory in the Electrical Engineering Department at Colorado State University, are discussed. Microwave techniques in general and this particular approach offer certain unique advantages that can advance the state of the art of fatigue/surface crack detection. The basic features and capabilities of this technique have been theoretically and experimentally investigated these past few years. However, more developmental work is needed to bring this technique from the laboratory …


Measurement Parameter Optimization For Surface Crack Detection In Metals Using An Open-Ended Waveguide Probe, R. Zoughi, Stoyan I. Ganchev, Christian J. Huber Jun 1996

Measurement Parameter Optimization For Surface Crack Detection In Metals Using An Open-Ended Waveguide Probe, R. Zoughi, Stoyan I. Ganchev, Christian J. Huber

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Fatigue and stress induced surface crack detection in metals is an important practical issue. A newly developed microwave inspection approach, using an open-ended rectangular waveguide, has proved to be an effective tool for detecting such cracks. This novel microwave approach overcomes some of the limitations associated with the standard detection methods for surface crack detection. In addition, this approach is applicable to exposed, filled (with a dielectric such as dirt, rust, etc.) and cracks under dielectric coatings such as paint. This paper presents the basic foundation of this surface crack detection methodology along with the ways by which measurement parameters …


A Novel Microwave Method For Detection Of Long Surface Cracks In Metals, Chin-Yung Yeh, R. Zoughi Oct 1994

A Novel Microwave Method For Detection Of Long Surface Cracks In Metals, Chin-Yung Yeh, R. Zoughi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel microwave technique for detecting long surface cracks in metals is described. This technique utilizes an open-ended waveguide to probe the surface of a metal. In the absence of a crack the metal surface is seen as a relatively good short-circuit load. However, in the presence of a crack higher order modes are generated which in turn change the reflection properties at the waveguide aperture. This change brings about a perturbation in the standing wave characteristics which is then probed by a diode detector. The experimental and theoretical foundations of this technique are given, along with several examples. It …


A Novel Microwave Fatigue Crack Detection Technique Using An Open-Ended Coaxial Line, Nasser N. Qaddoumi, Stoyan I. Ganchev, R. Zoughi Jul 1994

A Novel Microwave Fatigue Crack Detection Technique Using An Open-Ended Coaxial Line, Nasser N. Qaddoumi, Stoyan I. Ganchev, R. Zoughi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Surface crack detection on metallic structures (aircraft fuselage, turbine blades and nuclear power plant steam generator turbines) is of utmost importance. The use of an open-ended coaxial line for this purpose is very attractive because it offers advantages such as a wide frequency band of operation, small aperture (sensing) area, and excellent sensitivity.