British scientists are developing an ultrasound scanning technology that not only allows us to “look into the core” of concrete slabs to monitor their corrosion but also has the potential to locate murder victims.
This technology utilizes ultrasonic waves, similar to the techniques used in hospitals to observe fetuses in the womb. One such system is being developed to create nearly three-dimensional images of the core structure of concrete blocks. Many of these blocks have been in existence for 50-60 years, with some even exceeding their intended lifespan.
Since the late 1980s, Cambridge Ultrasonics has been experimenting with ultrasound to investigate concrete structures in search of signs of corrosion.
A version of this technology, registered by the British company Sonatest, aims to generate images within concrete. It employs a beam of six transducer devices to project sound waves into the concrete at various angles. Subsequently, the transducers collect the reflected waves. The software then compiles the raw data into a simulated three-dimensional image of the concrete core.
In concrete blocks, initial signs of damage often appear as hairline cracks. The technology from Sonatest (which is still in the research and development phase) will differentiate between actual structural cracks and “noise” cracks that arise from the rough texture of the concrete.
Dr. David Andrews, director of Cambridge Ultrasonics, explains: “The design lifespan of many types of concrete ranges from 50 to 120 years. Many of these have already existed for half a century. They are aging, with some deteriorating faster than expected.” Consequently, there is a significant demand for assessing concrete damage.
This technology also holds potential applications in police investigations. Woodhead noted that if a body had been encased in concrete for 60 years, it might have decayed, leaving only a void. “If you scan through this concrete block, you could detect the void.”
T.An (according to BBC)
