Abstract
Novel coaxial cable sensors that feature high sensitivity and high spatial resolution are developed for health monitoring of concrete structures using a time-domain reflectometry (TDR). The new sensor was designed based on the topology change of its outer conductor, which was fabricated with tightly wrapped commercial tin-plated steel spiral covered with solder. The cracks that developed within concrete structures will lead to out-of-contact of local steel spirals. This topology change results in a large impedance discontinuity that can be measured with a TDR. A simplified equivalent transmission line model and numerical full-wave simulations using finite-difference time-domain techniques were used to optimize the sensor design. The sensors under test demonstrated high sensitivity and the capability of multiple-crack detection. A plasma-sprayed coating technique was employed to improve sensor uniformity. Engineering implementation issues, e.g., signal loss, signal postprocessing, and sensor design optimization, were also addressed.
Originalsprache | englisch |
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Seiten (von - bis) | 2714-2725 |
Seitenumfang | 12 |
Fachzeitschrift | IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement |
Jahrgang | 58 |
Ausgabenummer | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 3 Juli 2009 |
Extern publiziert | Ja |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Instrumentierung
- Elektrotechnik und Elektronik