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Terahertz Source Inspects Bridge Components

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Terahertz waves could be especially useful in the safety inspection of bridges that use prestressed concrete (PC) steel wires hidden inside external cables covered by resin jackets.

That's the conclusion of researchers at Tohoku University who developed an optical measurement system able to penetrate polyethylene resin and similar resins. This allows nondestructive imaging of the inside of PC steel wire without removing the resin cover, as the terahertz waves efficiently reflect off metal surfaces within the resin.

Comparison of a photograph and a terahertz image of a prestressed concrete steel cable.
Comparison of a photograph and a terahertz image of a prestressed concrete steel cable. The polyethylene outer mold was partially removed. Courtesy of Yutaka Oyama.

External cables are important structural elements for dispersing loads in extradosed bridges, which are cable-stayed structures usually featuring a box girder deck. Resin coatings also make external cables resistant to corrosion.

Destructive inspections of the cables, in which the outer coating is removed from the cable, run the risk of allowing moisture to penetrate the wires and corrode them after the inspection has been completed.

Results of this research were presented at the CLEO Pacific Rim conference held in earlier this year Busan, South Korea.
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Published: December 2015
Glossary
metrology
Metrology is the science and practice of measurement. It encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of measurement, including the development of measurement standards, techniques, and instruments, as well as the application of measurement principles in various fields. The primary objectives of metrology are to ensure accuracy, reliability, and consistency in measurements and to establish traceability to recognized standards. Metrology plays a crucial role in science, industry,...
terahertz
Terahertz (THz) refers to a unit of frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum, denoting waves with frequencies between 0.1 and 10 terahertz. One terahertz is equivalent to one trillion hertz, or cycles per second. The terahertz frequency range falls between the microwave and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Key points about terahertz include: Frequency range: The terahertz range spans from approximately 0.1 terahertz (100 gigahertz) to 10 terahertz. This corresponds to...
industrialResearch & TechnologyTohokuAsia-PacificYutaka OyamametrologyterahertzTechnology News

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