Abstract
In this study, a multi-bandwidth wavelet transform of signals with mixed frequencies from multiple delamination mechanisms is proposed to achieve the time and frequency resolution required in delamination detection. It was applied to detect six embedded defects, simulating shallow and deep delamination, in a 60 in. × 36 in. × 7.25 in. reinforced concrete slab from impact echo signals recorded at 40 points using a portable seismic property analyzer. Test results indicated that the proposed transform successfully detected all the defects and was twice as accurate as Fourier transform for the identification of resonant frequencies. Out of the 40 measurement points, the false detection points were reduced from 22 with Fourier transform to 10 with the proposed transform.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support for this study was provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award No. CMMI1538416. The findings and results presented in this paper are those of the authors only, and do not necessarily represent those of the sponsor.
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Appendix
Appendix
See Appendix Figs. 13, 14 and 15.
Fourier spectra of the IE signals at 40 test points (presented sequentially from left to right and top to bottom)
Scalograms from the multi-bandwidth wavelet transform of the IE signals at 40 test points (presented sequentially from left to right and top to bottom)
Scalograms from conventional wavelet transforms of the IE signals at 40 test points (presented sequentially from left to right and top to bottom)
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Qu, H., Li, M., Chen, G. et al. Multi-bandwidth wavelet transform of impact echo signals for delamination detection of thin concrete slabs. J Civil Struct Health Monit 6, 649–664 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13349-016-0187-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13349-016-0187-2