Structure Evaluation System Using Segmented Impact Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional structure evaluation methods using traveling vehicles on road surfaces face challenges in accurately detecting internal damage due to biased elastic wave propagation paths and interference, leading to incomplete evaluation of damage in certain regions.
Innovation Solution
A structure evaluation system that includes an impact imparting unit, sensors, and a position locator, where the impact imparting unit applies impacts to regions not covered by the vehicle, such as using additional wheels, water spraying, or laser irradiation, to generate elastic waves and improve detection accuracy without vehicle lane restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wheel load of a traveling vehicle is used to apply impact, then impact can be applied in a limited range without lane restriction, but elastic wave source distribution becomes concentrated in rutted portions causing biased propagation paths
Solution Approach 1:
The impact application is segmented into two distinct sources: the vehicle wheel load impacts at rutted portions, and the additional impactor impacts at non-rutted portions. This segmentation creates multiple elastic wave propagation paths that collectively cover the entire structure, preventing bias toward any single region while maintaining operational flexibility without lane restrictions.
2Measurement precision
If uniformly applied impact is used to achieve uniform elastic wave source distribution, then damage detection accuracy is improved, but lane restrictions are required impairing user convenience
Solution Approach 1:
An additional impactor is introduced as an intermediary device to apply supplemental impacts at non-rutted portions. This intermediary compensates for the non-uniformity caused by vehicle wheel loads alone, achieving sufficient elastic wave source distribution uniformity without requiring lane restrictions that would impair user convenience.
3Device complexity
If elastic waves propagate through biased paths due to concentrated impact sources, then impact application is simplified, but internal damage cannot be evaluated correctly in all regions
Solution Approach 1:
The impact application is extended from a single-dimension vehicle path (rutted portions only) to a two-dimensional coverage area by adding impactor impacts at non-rutted portions. This dimensional expansion creates elastic wave propagation paths in multiple directions and regions, ensuring comprehensive damage evaluation reliability without overcomplicating the impact application mechanism.
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
Enhances the accuracy of structure evaluation by ensuring elastic waves can propagate through previously inaccessible regions, allowing for comprehensive assessment of damage without interference and lane restrictions.
Implementation Method 1
an impact imparting unit 15 applies impacts to a second region 2 different from a first region 1 of a structure 50
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of sensors 20 detect elastic waves generated inside of the structure 50
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a structure evaluation system includes an impact imparting unit, a plurality of sensors, a position locator, and an evaluator. The impact imparting unit applies impacts to a second region different from a first region of a structure to which traveling sections of a vehicle, which travels on the structure, apply impacts. The plurality of sensors detect elastic waves generated in the structure. The position locator locates a position of a source of the elastic waves on the basis of the elastic waves detected by each of the plurality of sensors. The evaluator evaluates a deterioration state of the structure on the basis of a position location result of the position locator.