FPGA: Field programmable gate array-based four-channel embedded system for ultrasonic imaging of under-water concrete structures

Abstract

Non-destructive testing is needed for the evaluation of quality and safety of concrete structures in the field of civil engineering. The imaging of concrete/reinforced cement concrete structures (RCC) is a challenging task due to the non-homogeneous properties of the concrete material. To address this challenge, a novel real-time, re-configurable, four-channel embedded system has been designed and developed to image the internal details of the concrete samples using the water immersion pulse-echo (PE) mode under automation, which needs access from one side of the structure. The system performs data acquisition (DAQ) of the amplified echo signals under the control of the computer via a universal serial bus interface. A graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed using C# in a Visual environment, for image acquisition and control of the DAQ parameters. The performance of the system has been evaluated by acquiring B-Scan images of three types of concrete test blocks having side drilled holes (SDHs) and simulated inclusions embedded in concrete blocks of M20 grade using a linear array of 92 kHz water immersion transducers operating in under-water PE mode. The acquired B-Scan images revealed the internal details of the concrete test blocks with sizing of the SDHs and inclusions. Therefore, the developed four-channel ultrasonic imaging system can visualize the internal details of under-water concrete structures, such as bridges and sea links, with the help of corresponding 2-D cross-sectional images, acquired using the developed system.