Time-Domain Microwave NDT for Defects in Reinforced Concrete Structures in Nuclear Industry

Abstract

Concrete structures with reinforcement have better mechanical capabilities, such as compressive strength, tensile strength, and durability. Reinforced concrete is also low-maintenance, defection-free, fire-resistant, and weather-resistant. This work focuses on the use of the microwave as a low-cost source to investigate flaws in the reinforcement of concrete structures in nuclear industry in a nondestructive manner. The electromagnetic signature encompasses both the reflection and dielectric properties of the test media in the examination of reinforced concrete structures for the first time. A microwave probe as the low cost source antenna, which was created in-house, has been used to measure concrete samples with defected and non-defected reinforcement. The results of the experiments showed that the suggested microwave approach could accurately identify defect geometry and characteristics, and that it could be used in structural health monitoring for preliminary findings.