Shimadzu Corporation has developed a new technology that uses ultrasonic waves and light to detect and image hidden defects in steel structures and concrete in a non-destructive manner.It is expected that the inspection process will be labor-saving and efficient for the maintenance of aging infrastructure structures.In addition, in order to promote empirical research for practical use, joint research with Kyoto University will start in September this year, aiming for commercialization in three years.
Currently, magnetic particle inspections and visual / tapping inspections are generally used for regular inspections of infrastructure structures such as plant tanks and pipes, roads and railway bridges.However, in the magnetic particle inspection test, the work of removing the coating film on the surface of the member is complicated, and in the visual and tapping sound inspection, there are problems of variation in judgment by the operator and oversight.
This time, we have developed a new non-destructive inspection technology using ultrasonic waves and light.Ultrasonic waves are propagated to the surface of an object, and minute displacements on the surface caused by vibration are detected by dedicated laser lighting and a camera, and the state of ultrasonic wave propagation is visualized.This makes it possible to easily confirm the position and shape of the defect in the same field of view as visual observation or normal camera photography.It also eliminates the need to change inspection techniques for steel and concrete.Further, the removal of the coating film before the inspection becomes unnecessary, and the inspection process can be significantly labor-saving.This time, we succeeded in observing images of defects that are difficult to detect with conventional technology, such as minute cracks near the concrete surface and peeling that exists within a depth of 1 cm.
In the future, we plan to repeat demonstration experiments with the aim of putting it into practical use in three years, and to improve usability and performance.For application to inspection applications of transportation infrastructure structures such as bridges, empirical research was started in September in collaboration with the Kono laboratory of the Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University.In addition, in collaboration with infrastructure managers and inspection companies for application of plant equipment to inspection applications, field demonstrations will start within this fiscal year.
