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This paper describes the first stage of a research project to develop an automated vehicle for inspecting the structural integrity of concrete sewer pipelines. We have developed an innovative interrogation and signal processing algorithm for detecting and sizing defects in concrete media, irrespective of the composition of the concrete — a crucial factor for realizing an in-line inspection process for concrete pipes. We have simulated concrete pipeline inspection by fabricating concrete specimens of diverse compositions embedded with rectangular defects of varying depths immersed in synthetic wastewater of varying density. We present ultrasonic C-scans and their corresponding defect characterization profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the development of an innovative nondestructive test procedure (system+algorithm) for characterizing defects in concrete sewer pipelines, using ultrasonic inspection. A signal processing technique is being developed that is invariant to changes in both concrete material properties and composition of wastewater. Development of such an inspection procedure will be the first step in the design of a mobile autonomous vehicle for inspecting wastewater pipeline systems. Results demonstrating the validity of the proposed approach are presented. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]