Novel Piezo Based Device for Multipurpose Non Destructive Evaluation Vibro-Integrity Sensing Device (VInSD)

The proposed invention is a versatile device which is a single alternative for the conventional four NDT sensors namely accelerometers, UPV test, Schmitt Rebound Hammer test and impact echo test. This device can measure all the information which the above mentioned sensors/ tests provide individually
The conventional sensors/ test equipment are bulky thus cannot be used as an attachments with the UAVs. The proposed device has been designed by keeping the UAV application in the field of bridge inspection/ NDT. By just extending the arm of the proposed sensor suitably it can be attached with a UAV for performing the bridge inspections specially in the areas which are inaccessible manually.
The multiple NDT sensor is extremely low cost as compared to conventional NDT sensors namely accelerometers, UPV test, Schmitt Rebound Hammer test and impact echo test.
The proposed sensor is suitable for doing the NDT of both the steel as well concrete structures. In the steel structures it can provide the vibrational dynamic response of the structures. Additionally, it can check the integrity and strength of concrete structures.
Also, there is absence of frequency bandwidth limitation in piezoelectric ceramic sensor which is present in accelerometers.

This single device can perform following four measurements: (1) dynamic response of the structures as done by conventional accelerometers (2) homogeneity of concrete in terms of the velocity of waves travelling inside the concrete material as determined by the conventional ultrasonic velocity test set-up (3) concrete strength in terms of the peak voltage generated by the piezo based sensors as determined by the conventional Rebound Hammer Test set-up (4) depth of the defects (in form of cracks etc.) as determined by the Impact Echo test conventionally.

The proposed invention is a versatile device which is a single alternative for the conventional four NDT sensors namely accelerometers, UPV test, Schmitt Rebound Hammer test and impact echo test. This device can measure all the information which the above mentioned sensors/ tests provide individually
The conventional sensors/ test equipment are bulky thus cannot be used as an attachments with the UAVs. The proposed device has been designed by keeping the UAV application in the field of bridge inspection/ NDT. By just extending the arm of the proposed sensor suitably it can be attached with a UAV for performing the bridge inspections specially in the areas which are inaccessible manually.
The multiple NDT sensor is extremely low cost as compared to conventional NDT sensors namely accelerometers, UPV test, Schmitt Rebound Hammer test and impact echo test.
The proposed sensor is suitable for doing the NDT of both the steel as well concrete structures. In the steel structures it can provide the vibrational dynamic response of the structures. Additionally, it can check the integrity and strength of concrete structures.
Also, there is absence of frequency bandwidth limitation in piezoelectric ceramic sensor which is present in accelerometers.