Remote impact acoustic testing at a high place such as bridges and tunnels from the ground using a pulsed water jet

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K04643
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 22010:Civil engineering material, execution and construction management-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Mori Kazuya 熊本大学, 大学院先端科学研究部(工), 教授 (50190989)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 橋梁 / トンネル / 非破壊検査 / 水撃音響法 / 高所

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed a convenient, cost-effective, and efficient inspection method for detecting floating and delamination of concrete in the undersides of bridge decks and tunnels. This inspection method involves discharging a water flow with a diameter of a few millimeters from the ground and directing the water droplets onto the inspection surface to perform acoustic testing. In conventional water flow methods, the water would disperse at remote points, making precise inspections challenging. In this research, we successfully established a method using laminar flow nozzles to prevent water dispersion even several meters away, enabling effective acoustic testing at heights.

Free Research Field

機械工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日本の橋梁やトンネルは、1970年代の高度経済成長期に数多く作られ、それらの点検・補修が必要となっている。しかしながら、経済的な問題と、作業者の確保の問題から、万全な点検・補修が十分には行われていない状況にある。本研究は、橋梁やトンネルの点検の経済効率および作業効率を改善するものであり、SDGｓの11番目の目標である「住み続けられるまちづくり」に貢献する研究である。