A study on torsional guided wave EMAT array and its application in embedment depth inspection of guardrail post

Abstract

It is always a challenge to quickly and effectively inspect the embedment depth of highway guardrail posts. This paper focuses on an electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer (EMAT) array that can excites torsional mode (T-mode) guided waves and applies it to check the embedment depth of guardrail posts. First of all, we presented a torsional guided wave EMAT array that can be used to quickly inspect the embedment depth of guardrail posts. The working principle of the EMAT array was described in detail. Secondly, a torsional guided wave EMAT array composed of 12 racetrack coils and 24 permanent magnets was simulated to verify the excitation and propagation process of torsional guided wave in a post. Then, a method for detecting the embedment depth of a post using the travel time of a torsional guided wave in the post was put forward. Finally, an experimental system was set up to carry out embedment depth detection experiments on posts with different depths buried in soil and concrete. Experiments have verified the feasibility of using the torsional guided wave EMAT array to inspect the embedment depth of the guardrail post.