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The study pointed out important points that would be helpful conceptually to my
research. The proper coupling of the transducers is a must for a good data acquisition
process. Another one would be that it can be expected that the use of 150 kHz would
get a good depth of resolution but the attenuation of the waves must be taken into
account. The use of a digital oscilloscope could suppress high-frequency noise.
The journal article focused on the concept of synthetic aperture focusing technique.
The authors described SAFT having great potential in concrete imaging that could
address issues in the inhomogeneous nature of concrete. It is also described as an
imaging algorithm that superimposes signals measured at different positions in which
could output a high-resolution image.
The journal article also discussed the factors that affect concrete imaging. The use
of low frequency transducers could substantially reduce the effects of attenuation and
scattering in the concrete specimen but suffers from low resolution imaging. From this,
we could notice that signal processing is really important prior to image reconstruction.
The journal article dated in June 1995 discussed the difficulties in further
advancement of nondestructive testing and evaluation of reinforced concrete structures.
While the journal discussed different methodologies, the most relevant topic to my study
will be about acoustical imaging. Ultrasonic being sound waves falls under this category.
It highlighted on the fact that acoustical imaging techniques are safe to use and
relatively inexpensive to other instruments. It discussed how a high resolution image
output would require a narrow beam. The beam it refers to is the ultrasonic pulse
transmitted by the transducer and a narrow beam would be an ultrasonic pulse with
shorter wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths means higher frequencies. The conflict arises
when the inhomogeneous nature of concrete is taken into account. Ultrasonic pulses of
short wavelength would be quickly attenuated inside the concrete specimen.
Additionally, it was discussed that there were limited imaging techniques available
for acoustical imaging. It was mentioned in the article that a good imaging technique
utilized the time of flight of a wave and intensity-mapping. Given that SAFT was not
mentioned means that this technique could be a precursor of the SAFT or its early
stages of development. Immersing the specimen in water was done to establish a good
coupling but nowadays it is not necessary anymore because of the use of a couplant a
water-based material that establishes a good acoustical coupling between to two
surfaces.
5) Margret, M. et al. (2014). Compton back scatter imaging for mild steel rebar
detection and depth characterization embedded in concrete. Nuclear Instruments
and Methods in Physics Research. Vol. 343, pp. 77-82.