Improved image reconstruction based on ultrasonic transmitted wave computerized tomography on concrete

Abstract

Abstract Considering the non-uniqueness and instability of concrete defect detection in construction engineering, ultrasonic time of flight data and maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm were proposed to improve the readability of the ultrasonic reconstruction image. Ultrasonic transmitted waves reflect internal information when through concrete structures. Measurement signals were regularized and processed as transit time parameters. Maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm was optimized for image reconstruction of the concrete structure. The interpolation data as the density of measurement data was used to improve the readability of reconstruction images. The experimental measurement system, improved image reconstruction algorithm, and interpolation method were verified in detail by using simulation and concrete phantoms. The proposed image reconstruction technique based on maximum likelihood expectation maximization overcame the disadvantages of the traditional image reconstruction method, and it was effective to improve the accuracy and the quality of image reconstruction on concrete. Time of flight data and normalized interpolation were discussed in detail during image reconstruction. The results showed that it could make the position of an abnormal object more obvious, and it was more accurate for reflecting the internal structure of concrete.

Keywords

• Computerized tomography
• Ultrasonic transmitted wave
• Image reconstruction
• Maximum likelihood expectation maximization
• Transit time parameters