The influence of surface opening cracks on the ultrasonic waves near the surface in concrete members

Abstract

Based on the velocities of waves near the surface in concrete, the propagation path and travel time of different waves were calculated, and the influence of crack on these waves was analyzed. Some theoretical conclusions were verified by FEM. The ultrasonic waves were received by array transducers and the velocities of different waves were calculated and distinguished according to wave velocity in the simulation. Simulation results show that when sound wave propagates through the crack, longitudinal waves will arrive at the receiving arrays, and the crack will diffract transverse wave to generate new longitudinal wave and transverse wave by mode conversion, and Rayleigh wave will propagate along the surface (including the crack side wall). Finally, it is found that the relationship between crack depth and amplitude and energy is approximately linearly monotone decreasing by studying the waves near surface with different crack depths.