MiraDor 3D Tomography with impact-echo
IRADOR is an advanced data acquisition and data analysis system for the impact-echo method on concrete structures. It is intended for use with the MIRADOR scanner system or it can be used with a DOCter Mark IV transducer as an alternative to the Viking software. Impact-Echo method is a powerful and accurate tool for the measurement of thickness and the detection of voids, delaminations, debonding & honeycombing in concrete or composite structures. For details about the Impact-Echo principle and advantages please visit the DOCter page. Impact-Echo/MIRADOR incorporates innovative techniques to create 2-dimensional (2-D) and 3-dimensional (3-D) visual representations of the results of impact-echo tests obtained from a grid of closely-spaced test points.
The key features of the software include the following:
- Simple interfaces for setting up data acquisition parameters and defining the testing grid
- Audio assisted prompts during testing to speed up data acquisition
- Visualization of impact-echo tests results b y creating a 3-D volume model of the test region
- Ability to look at reflecting interface on different cutting planes
- Ability to superimpose test results on real world image of test location
- Menu driven report generation in a format that can be edited with a word processor
Principle
The principle of the impact-echo method in concrete structures is discussed on the DOCter webpage and is not repeated here. MIRADOR assumes that impact-echo tests will be performed using a predefined grid of test points. If a DOCter Mark IV transducer is used, a series of equally-spaced scan lines of equal length are marked on the test surface, and equally spaced test points are marked along each line. These points line up to create “columns” of test points. The distance between test points on a scan line defines the column spacing. The combination of “lines” and “columns” defines the 2-D grid that is the basis for subsequent displays. An X-Y-Z coordinate system is defined with the origin as shown. The X-axis is parallel to the scan lines, and the Y-axis is parallel to the columns. The Z-axis is the depth axis and it points into the test object. The grid spacing and the frequency steps in the amplitude spectrum define the size of the “voxel” (or the resolution) for developing the volume model of the test region. If the Impact-Echo/MIRADOR scanner system is used, the scan line locations and the line corresponding to the first column are marked on the test surface. The distance between test points along a scan line is selected through the software. The test frame is moved manually from one scan line to another, and the software takes care of data acquisition along each scan line.
