CHAPTER I THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

This chapter explains the reason why the researcher thought of doing such a study. This will also presents the objectives of the project, as well as its scope and limitation.

1.1 Introduction

Major controversy like aging infrastructure maintenance and renewal are one of the common problems in an industry, especially in the field of construction, which needs to be solved nowadays. Preserving infrastructures is one solution to prevent accidents. This can be done with what you called testing of the materials. In earlier techniques, the usual way to inspect and diagnose infrastructure is to perform strength testing and material analysis such us the specimens of the material is extracted or deduced, thisincludes tensile testing, bend testing, impact testing, hardness testing, macro testing and micro testing. One biggest issue, pertaining to the above-mentioned, which is mostly talked about is the quality of materials used for construction. A person understands how important it is to know the condition, property and individuality of the. One of the common materials that are mostly being monitored and repair is made from a concrete. Concrete is an existing in a material that is solid. As the time goes by, there are many infrastructures being constructed, due to the economical demands like buildings for rent especially for commercials and advertisements. This aspect makes it important for engineers to be able to determine the condition of concrete for maintenance and repair decisions having the accurate information. Engineers and scientists commonly use data acquisition hardware and software to automate the operation of processes and machinery without human interaction.Because of insufficient support of providing accurate information about the condition, status or quality of components, systems or processes that are being tested, accidents can happen and leading to damage of property and loss of life. To identify the

type and magnitude of defects and the overall quality of the concrete structure, the proper methodology for concrete repair is said to be through testing. But what kind of testing could be appropriate?According to the Department of Skills Development Ministry of Human Resource, Non-Destructive Testing or the NDT is a tool of quality control that is very important in the heavy engineering field. It is the final requisite before the component, system or process can be certified safe to use. This method is an effective tool which allows us to predict and prevent structural failures before those would happen. Prior to that, it is clearly stated that, Non-destructive testing of concretes is one method that gives engineers more accurate information without reducing the materials structural integrity even by drilling or other methods to use for investigation. This test is also use to determine and evaluate the condition of structures like walls, posts, bridges, and roads. There are different kinds of NDT and some of them are the commonly used for concretes such as: Impact Testing, Concrete Test Hammer, Crack Monitor and Vibration analysis, Corrosion Parameter Analyzer, Rebar Locator and Ultrasonic Testing. Still knowing these NDTs, each has its own advantages towards the others. Having the ideas about each method, the researchers have decided to focus on one NDT to use which is the Ultrasonic Testing, but in a more challenging way. The challenge is to create a tool for non-destructive evaluation. The tool has low-cost system and has the ability to be expanded to cope with increased use for a rapid data acquisition of ultrasonic signals. In collaborate with it, the researchers decided to use of LabVIEW software for the data gathering, that will result to simple but powerful userinterfaces that is developing rapidly, and an easy control, also in hardware, and a realtime acquisition and processing. This study is an attempt to capture each and every ideas on how to create a tool for the application of the non-destructive testing, specifically the ultrasonic system with the use of Lab VIEW software. This would be beneficial to structural engineers, civil engineers, builders and other people concerned with the safety of a certain structure. It can help identify threats, thus preventing accidents on constructions like bridges, or buildings. It would also be beneficial to the public that everyday enters a building for work/school, to motorists that crosses a bridge or drives on a road, and many more. To

the proponents, the study will help them be more familiar to the environment of LabVIEW and its Data Acquisition techniques. This proposed project will also help the proponents to develop their skills in analyzing and programming using the software.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

The study focus on design and develop ultrasonic data acquisition system for nondestructive testing using LabVIEW and in giving more accurate data, which could be used for investigation of the internal condition of a concrete, without reducing the materials structural integrity. Below are the objectives of this study: 1.2.1 To determine the preliminary considerations of the design and

development of ultrasonic data acquisition system for non-destructive testing using LabVIEW. 1.2.2 To design a system capable of acquiring ultrasonic data considering: 1.2.2.1 1.2.2.2 1.2.2.3 Type of sensor Noise cancellation techniques Data logging

1.2.3 To develop a GUI using LabVIEW for optimized acquisition of ultrasonic signal. 1.2.4 To integrate the hardware and software components.

1.2.5 To test the system in terms of: 1.2.5.1 1.2.5.2 1.2.5.3 Functionality and reliability sensor penetration depth type of material to be tested

1.3 Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework shows the plan of how the research idea is put together for the development of the given study. It elaborates the the research problem in relation to relevant literature. Given below in Figure 1.1 is the summarized overview of actions considered during the process of the study.

The concept of the study along with the general steps was formulated and laid out systematically. Improvements starting from the pre-designstage were incorporated so as to give different rationale among studies conducted. The design and development stage wherein experiments were performed present theavailability, selection,

identification and costs of materials. The time span of the development of the study along with the total cost is a big factor to be considered. The materials to be used in the fabrication of the hardware is thoroughly studied for it to be less costly but still highly efficient. The project will be fabricated after digging deeper into the functionality of the device. The project will then be tested and evaluated based on its overall function to acquire its efficiency and parameters considered to be compared with the related devices, methods and existing related studies.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The study aims to design and develop a tool that will detect fractures, cracks or dislocations of structures internally, using sound waves. The output of this project would be beneficial for the following reasons: 1.4.1 To structural engineers, civil engineers, builders and other people concerned with the safety of a certain structure. The tool will help them verify a good construction result. Also, it can help them monitor voids,

fractures, and abnormality of structure for the assessment of its overall stability, through data acquisition. 1.4.2 The tool can help identify threats, thus preventing accidents on constructions like bridges, or buildings. 1.4.3 To the public that everyday enters a building for work/school, to motorists that crosses a bridge or drives on a road, and many more. 1.4.4 To the proponents, the study will help the proponents be more familiar to the environment of LabVIEW and its Data Acquisition techniques. This proposed project will also help the proponents to develop their skills in analyzing and programming using the software.

1.5 Scope and Delimitations

Relevant to the study, scope and delimitation outlines different factors that would help the proponents in doing such study. The study is mainly concerned with the development of Ultrasonic Data Acquisition System for Non-Destructive Testing Using LabVIEW. It is focused on actual monitoringof the accurate measurement of the internal condition of a structure mainly concrete. The device is to detect damage, cracks and deformation of structures internally. The device functions with the use of ultrasonic transducer by detecting changes of magnitude of waves within the surface of the material. The Ultrasonic transducer will be used for Non-destructive testing of plain, reinforced and pre-stressed concrete whether it is precast or cast in position.This is one of the most commonly used method in Non-destructive testing which the ultrasonic pulses (waves) generated by the transducer is transmitted through the concrete. Pertaining to the actual monitoring of the internal condition, or the so called da ta acquisition, the proponents have chosen the LabVIEW application because it is faster and more effectively for the system. Within the application, individual software will be created. The software created, together with the hardware, will be used in acquiring data. LabVIEW, a graphical programming platform, will help the proponents create a graphical user interface.

1.6 Definition of Terms: 1.6.1 Conceptual Non-destructive testing (NDT) The field of Nondestructive Testing (NDT) is a very broad, interdisciplinary field that plays a critical role in assuring that structural components and systems perform their function in a reliable and cost effective fashion. (http://www.ndt-ed.org/AboutNDT/aboutndt.htm)

Data acquisition It is the process of measuring an electrical or physical phenomenon such as voltage, current, temperature, pressure, or sound with a computer. A DAQ system consists of sensors, DAQ measurement hardware, and a computer with programmable software. Compared to traditional

measurement systems, PC-based DAQ systems exploit the processing power, productivity, display, and connectivity capabilities of industrystandard computers providing a more powerful, flexible, and cost-effective measurement solution. (http://www.ni.com/data-acquisition/what-is/)

Ultrasonic Sensor/Ultrasonic Transducer A type of sensor that uses sound waves to detect a target. This kind of sensor is the best type of sensor detecting liquids, clear objects, or irregularly shaped objects. (http://www.toolingu.com/definition-46036534373-ultrasonic-sensor.html)

Graphical User Interface A program interface that takes advantage of the computers graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. Well-designed graphical user interfaces can free the user from learning complex command languages. On the other hand, many users find that they work more

effectively with a command - driven interface, especially if they already know the command language. (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/G/Graphical_User_Interface_GUI.html)

myDAQ NI myDAQ is a low-cost data acquisition (DAQ) device that gives students the ability to measure and analyze live signals anywhere, anytime. NI myDAQ is compact and portable so students can extend hands-on learning outside of the lab environment using industry-standard tools and methods. NI myDAQ addresses student needs for the following: (a) Time with tools: Multiple instruments on one low-cost DAQ platform, (b) Time with concepts: Portable, USB-powered, and built to last, and (c) Time to discover: Instant relevance, programmability, and project-readiness. (http://sine.ni.com/np/app/main/p/ap/academic/lang/en/pg/1/sn/n17:acade mic,n21:16781/fmid/6353/)

LabVIEW It is a highly productive development environment that engineers and scientists use for graphical programming and unprecedented hardware integration to rapidly design and deploy measurement and control systems. Within this flexible platform, engineers scale from design to test and from small to large systems while reusing IP & refining their processes to achieve maximum performance. (http://www.ni.com/labview/whatis/)

1.6.2 Operational

Non-destructive testing (NDT) - this process will be used to evaluate the internal condition of concrete. It provides the flaw detection hardware and ultrasonic inspection instruments to conduct examinations on concrete.

Data acquisition - this process, wherein data measured from the internal condition of a concrete, will be converted into a digital numeric values for a accurate record.

Ultrasonic Sensor/Ultrasonic Transducer - it both sends and receives pulse and it evaluates quality of a target by interpreting the waves and echo which is received back by the sensor. It is also wherein the time interval between sending the signal and receiving the echo is calculated and to determine depth of the surface.

Graphical User Interface - this user interface will allows the users to interact with electronic devices using images rather than text commands, in which this can be used in computers and portable devices.

myDAQ - it a combination hardware and software. It will also help the researchers for instant relevance, programmability, and project-readiness.

LabVIEW - this software is a graphical programming platform. It will help the researchers scale an ideal for any measurement or control system. Also it is a development environment for problem solving, accelerated productivity, and continual innovation.