Reinforced Concrete Deterioration Evaluation Using Reflected Wave Statistics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image diagnostics for evaluating the degree of deterioration in reinforced concrete structures require specialized expertise to interpret qualitative images, making it difficult to perform quantitative evaluations without technical knowledge.

Innovation Solution

A reinforced concrete structure evaluation device and method that acquires images of reflected wave intensity from electromagnetic waves radiated into the structure, sets evaluation target ranges, computes statistical indicators for pixel values within these ranges, and evaluates the degree of deterioration quantitatively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional image diagnostics are used to evaluate reinforced concrete structures, then qualitative evaluation can be performed, but quantitative evaluation becomes difficult without specialized expertise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation precisionVSAvoidease of evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the evaluation from qualitative image interpretation to quantitative parameter measurement by computing statistical indicators (mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis) of pixel values. This parameter transformation enables objective, quantitative assessment of deterioration degrees without requiring specialized expertise to interpret images qualitatively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of expert image interpretation with an automated computational system. The evaluation device automatically computes statistical indicators from image data and determines deterioration degrees, substituting human expert judgment with objective computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If specialized expertise is required for image interpretation, then evaluation accuracy can be maintained, but accessibility and ease of use are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation reliabilityVSAvoidease of evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation device performs self-service by automatically computing statistical indicators and determining deterioration degrees without requiring user expertise. The system independently processes image data, calculates appropriate metrics, and provides evaluation results, making the tool accessible to users without specialized knowledge while maintaining reliable assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If quantitative evaluation is implemented using statistical indicators, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of evaluationVSAvoidevaluation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal approach by using standard statistical indicators (mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis) that can be computed from any image data. These multi-functional metrics can assess different types of deterioration patterns, making the system versatile and reducing the need for multiple specialized evaluation tools, thereby managing complexity through general-purpose analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quantitative evaluation of the degree of deterioration in reinforced concrete structures, providing a clear and interpretable assessment of structural condition without the need for specialized expertise.

Implementation Method 1

a method has been proposed for surveying damage to a steel deck pavement by radiating an electromagnetic wave from above a survey object surface to below the survey object surface, and detecting multiple reflected wave data of this electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12315134B2Reinforced concrete structure evaluating device, method, and program

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 GEO SEARCH

AI summary

An acquisition section (12) acquires a reflected wave intensity image in which a reflected wave intensity of an electromagnetic wave that has been radiated in a direction through a surface of a reinforced concrete structure toward an interior of the reinforced concrete structure at respective positions on the surface of the reinforced concrete structure is expressed by pixel values of pixels corresponding to each of the respective positions. A setting section (14) sets an evaluation target range in the acquired reflected wave intensity image. A computation section (16) computes a statistical indicator of a type set according to the set range for pixel values in the reflected wave intensity image. An evaluation section (18) evaluates a degree of deterioration of the reinforced concrete structure using the computed values.