Importance

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Abstract

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a technique that may be used to image the inside of a structure by collecting the echoes (or reflections) resulting from electromagnetic signals such as, for example, electromagnetic waves of typically high frequency, being radiated into the structure. Typically, the rebars inside of a reinforced concrete structure are strong radar wave reflectors. Locating deteriorated areas within a reinforced concrete structure may be accomplished by analyzing the reflections, particularly the amplitudes of the reflections, from the rebars in the reinforced concrete structure. Furthermore, the extent of deterioration of these located areas may be determined from such analysis. Significantly, the system and method described herein, when applied to determine the extent of deterioration of one or more areas of a reinforced concrete bridge deck, is effective even if a layer of asphalt is laminated to the surface of the reinforced bridge deck. A method and system for determining a condition of a substantially concrete structure is provided. One or more computer-readable data signals is received, where each data signal represents an electromagnetic signal detected from an area of the concrete structure. One or more of the detected electromagnetic signals include electromagnetic energy reflected from the concrete structure as a result of an electromagnetic signal transmitted into the concrete structure. An extent of deterioration of one or more areas of the substantially concrete structure are determined from the one or more computer-readable data signals.

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First Claim