Basic Study of Nondestructive and Noncontact Measurement System for Estimating Fire Damage of Concrete by Using High-Intensity Aerial Ultrasonic Waves

Abstract

Fire damage to concrete can be estimated in many ways, and these can be classified as destructive or non-destructive testing methods. Destructive testing generally results in higher accuracy，but such testing is not always possible at fire sites due to the resulting damage to walls. The development of a non-destructive, high-accuracy testing method would therefore be of great benefit. This study considers a new non-destructive, non-contact method for detecting the extent of fire damage to concrete through the use of aerial ultrasonic waves and optical equipment. We attempt estimation of fire damage for a concrete sample with reference to an actual site. In addition, we also attempt estimation of fire damage for a concrete wall at the actual site where a fire was artificially started in a multi-unit housing building. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for comparing the temperature distribution on a concrete wall exposed to high temperatures at the actual fire site, and estimating the extent of fire damage.