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The paper evaluates the sensitivity of sonic tomography imaging of historic masonry structures to variations in stress level and damage. Six stone masonry walls with different geometries representative of historical typologies were constructed by a professional mason. A laboratory campaign was carried out, subjecting the walls to cyclic uniaxial compression tests. During the test, an automated sonic tomography system was used to inspect the wall under loading cycles of increasing amplitude, which led to obtain tomographic images during loading and compare them under different stress level and damage condition. The use of robotic systems was proved essential to carry out the sonic inspections simultaneously to the compression tests. Results show that sonic wave prop- agation is not only sensitive to damage level, but also to the stress state. Thus, sonic tomography has the potential to be used to measure damage and stress level of masonry components over time, for example during renovation works on an existing construction.

Industrial robotic arms integrated with server computers, sensors and actuators have revolutionized the way automated non-destructive testing is performed in the aeronautical sector. Currently, there are commercial, industrial robots that have the precision, speed and repetitiveness in their movements that make them suitable for use in numerous non-destructive testing inspections. Automatic ultrasonic inspection of complex geometry parts remains one of the most difficult chal- lenges in the market. The closed configuration, i.e., restricted access to internal motion parameters, of these robotic arms makes it difficult for an adequate synchronism between the movement of the robot and the acquisition of the data. This is a serious problem in the inspection of aerospace components, where high-quality images are necessary to assess the condition of the inspected component. In this paper, we applied a methodology recently patented for the generation of high-quality ultra- sonic images of complex geometry pieces using industrial robots. The methodology is based on the calculation of a synchronism map after a calibration experiment and to introduce this corrected map in an autonomous, independent external system developed by the authors to obtain precise ultrasonic images. Therefore, it has been shown that it is possible to establish the synchronization of any industrial robot with any ultrasonic imaging generation system to generate high-quality ultrasonic images.

[EN] Monitoring data of internal temperature and humidity measurements of the walls of the Church of Talamanca del Jarama at different heights 40, 140 and 240 cm and in 7 positions for almost a year., [ÊS] Datos de monitorización de medidas de temperatura y humedad internas de los paramentos de la Iglesia de Talamanca del Jarama a diferentes alturas 40, 140 y 240 cm y en 7 posiciones durante casi un año.

The aim of this work is to study how the environmental conditions affect the wood quality. For that purpose, a monitoring system provided with temperature and humidity sensors and developed by the authors, was deployed during 6 months in 3 different places with diverse environmental conditions: Madrid, Seville and Avila. This system is based on WSNs using Iris motes developed by MEMSIC Company.

Background: The conservation of the built masonry heritage requires a comprehensive understanding of its geometrical, structural, and material characteristics. Non-destructive techniques are a preferred approach to survey historical buildings, given the cultural value of their fabric. However, currently available techniques are typically operated manually, consuming much time at operational and processing level and thus hindering their use for the on-site inspection of heritage structures. Methods: A novel automated sonic tomography system was designed and built to inspect and obtain information about the inner structure and damage of historic masonry walls. The system consists of a hitting device mounted on a frame that can be placed adjacent to the wall under analysis. The hitting device can move along the surface within the frame area in X, Y and Z directions, generating the sonic wave. The receiving system is a scanning laser vibrometer, able to measure from the distance the displacement of a focused point over time, recording the wave when it reaches the opposite surface. Results: Six stone masonry walls with different interior geometries were constructed at the laboratory by a professional stonemason. The construction of the walls was carefully documented, including the generation of detailed photogrammetric models of each single stone. The system was applied to survey the six masonry walls. Since the inner morphology of the walls is known, the resulting tomographic images could be compared with the ground truth. Conclusions: Automating the inspection allowed to collect thousands of data in a few hours. New software was also developed to automate the processing of the data. Results are expected to highlight the potential of tomography to obtain quantitative information about the interior of heritage structures, while providing new tools that make the implementation of the technique more practical for professionals. Data, software and models have been made publ

This paper presents a synchronism system that has been designed to facilitate the generation of ultrasonic images of pieces with complex geometry through the use of industrial robots. Modern robotic manipulators and, more specifically, industrial robotic arms integrated with server computers, sensors and actuators have revolutionized the way automated non-destructive testing is performed. Currently there are commercial industrial robots that have the precision, speed and repetitiveness in their movements that make them suitable for use in numerous non-destructive testing inspections whose designs are carried out by small and medium sized specialized companies. Automatic ultrasonic inspection of complex parts remains one of the most difficult challenges according to the specific and increasingly exigent demands of the markets. The closed configuration of these complex robotic arms makes it difficult to maintain adequate synchronism between the movement of the robot and the acquisition of the data, making it difficult to generate ultrasonic images consistent with the geometry of the part. This is a serious problem in the inspection of aerospace components where high quality is necessary to assess the condition of the inspected component. In this paper, we present an autonomous independent external system that provides control signals to synchronize the ultrasound system with the robot trajectories without needing to access its position in real time. A methodology to obtain the timing pattern for a given part inspected with a given robotic system will also be presented here.

[ES] Método y sistema para calibración de un sistema de inspección mediante ultrasonidos, que comprende un sistema de desplazamiento no cartesiano y un módulo de adquisición conectado al módulo de desplazamiento, donde el método comprende las etapas de proveer un mapa de sincronismo inicial; generar una imagen de un elemento conocido mediante ultrasonidos, haciendo uso del mapa de sincronismo inicial, realizando disparos de ondas ultrasónicas hacia el elemento, siguiendo el mapa de sincronismo inicial, y obtener una posición corregida del módulo de adquisición en cada punto y un mapa de sincronismo corregido, separando la imagen en una imagen de líneas pares y una imagen de líneas impares; añadiendo un retardo inicial a la secuencia de disparos, determinando en las imágenes N funciones sync y sus máximos, situados en la posición de los defectos, obtener la posición y el tiempo de cada defecto y obteniendo el mapa de sincronismo corregido., [EN] Method and system for calibrating an ultrasonic inspection system, comprising a non-Cartesian displacement system and an acquisition module connected to the displacement module, where the method comprises the steps of providing an initial synchronism map; generate an image of a known element by means of ultrasound, making use of the initial synchronism map, shooting ultrasonic waves towards the element, following the initial synchronism map, and obtain a corrected position of the acquisition module at each point and a map of corrected sync, separating the image into an even line image and an odd line image; adding an initial delay to the sequence of shots, determining in the images N sync functions and their maximums, located in the position of the defects, obtaining the position and time of each defect and obtaining the corrected synchronism map.

A new versatile and geometrically reconfigurable ultrasonic tomography system (UTS) has been designed to inspect and obtain information about the internal structure and inner damage of columns in heritage buildings. This nondestructive system is considered innovative because it aims to overcome common limitations of existing systems. Tomographic inspections are typically carried out manually and are thus limited to small portions of construction elements. The proposed UTS allows the automatization of the inspection and the generation of numerous tomographic slices along the height of the column. It is valid for multiple types of columns and materials. In the present work, the system was tested on two limestone columns of the north façade of the Convent of Carmo in Lisbon, Portugal. The UTS is composed of a mechanical and an electronic system. The mechanical system consists of four linear motion subsystems mounted in a square setup. A transducer is placed on each of the axes, acting as emitter or receiver of the ultrasonic signals. The mechanical system also includes a guide system to adapt the inspections to the complex geometry of the columns. The electronic system allows the control and the synchronization of the movements and the emission/reception configuration of the four ultrasonic transducers

In this study, different techniques for the mitigation of radon gas in indoor spaces were investigated. For this purpose, two different scenarios of a public building were analyzed: two symmetrical facility galleries and a reverberation chamber. Although most workplaces in this building have low radon levels, the complex structure houses spaces have very high radon concentrations. The study also included the surrounding areas of these spaces. The radon concentration and differential pressures were measured, and different mitigation techniques were applied: sealing, balanced ventilation, pressurization with the introduction of fresh air, and depressurization over each space. The pressurization solution was proven to be the most effective way to reduce radon concentration in both scenarios. The introduction of fresh air diluted the radon concentration, and the slight increase in the pressure reduced the entry of gas by the advection mechanism. On the other hand, the depressurization technique was the least effective mitigation technique, as it generated a negative pressure gradient that facilitated a higher radon flux from the source. Therefore, before applying any mitigation technique, it is necessary not only to study the space to be remediated but also the possible impact on neighboring spaces.

The development of early age properties of sprayed concrete is a key factor that governs its mix design and safe application. The conventional methods to evaluate the evolution of mechanical strength in sprayed concrete present a large interval between each set of measurements and results present a high scatter. In this context, the objective of this study is to characterize the early age properties of sprayed mortars through a novel continuous monitoring system based on in situ ultrasound measurements. Sprayed mortars were also analyzed by isothermal calorimetry, needle penetration and stud driving method. Results indicate that the system developed here can monitor the evolution of early age properties of sprayed mortars continuously without the common drawbacks observed in penetration tests. This research may lead to the development of a more reliable procedure to characterize the early age mechanical properties of sprayed materials in the worksite under safer conditions., This research was financially supported by the project RTC-2015- 3185-4 (MAPMIT), co-funded by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain in the Call Retos-Colaboración 2015 and by the European Union through FEDER funds under the objective of promoting the technological development, innovation and high quality research. Furthermore, the authors thank Industrias Quimicas del Ebro (IQE) and, especially, Dr. Miguel Cano and Dr. Jorge Pérez for their active collaboration and technical support on accelerating admixtures. Finally, authors extend their acknowledgements to the staff at the Laboratory of Technology of Structures Luis Agulló and, especially, Robert and Jordi for their technical support on the experimental campaign., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (author's final draft)

The Heritage Within (HWITHIN) European Research Project aimed to develop an innovative approach to present buildings and archaeological ruins. The project proposed to implement state-of-the-art technologies to produce an innovative visualization of the cultural heritage by showing what is hidden to our naked eye and the unknown, nonvisible features of our buildings and archaeological assets. The final 3D model has been implemented into a virtual reality tour platform with augmented reality content to offer a unique visualization of the ruins of the church of the old Convent of Carmo, the project case study, on-site and remotely. The HWITHIN research project has been a great opportunity to explore how the integration of several tools can help to obtain a better understanding of our heritage and, at the same time, provide the public with specific technical content that is not commonly accessible. The project aims to make the public more aware of the essential role of professionals in the field of conservation (from art historians and archaeologists to engineers and architects), showing the importance of surveying, diagnostic and analysis activities for the preservation of our built heritage. This pilot experience can hopefully open new paths of investigation and be replicated and extended in other sites in the future.

GPR is a non-destructive technique that consists in the emission of high frequency electromagnetic waves through a medium. Different electromagnetic properties and discontinuities within the medium produce reflections that allow to characterize its internal structure. In particular, pulses of radar energy are generated from a dipole transmitting antenna, placed on, or near, the surface of the medium under investigation: from soil layering, to masonry wall, up to frescoes (Leucci 2019; Masini et al. 2007; Masini et al. 2017) Focusing on architectural heritage applications, the measure of the time elapsed between transmission, reflection off a discontinuity and reception back at a surface radar antenna along with suitable data processing procedures, allow to identify and locate reflectors that, suitably post processed and visualized in 3D, enable to provide important information on the masonry, such as presence of cracks and fractures, the internal composition, the connection characteristics between stone blocks (Leucci et al. .2011) Such approach has been applied for the characterization of the columns of the Convento do Carmo church, in Lisbon. Figure 1 shows the used GPR apparatus and its general block diagram. The interface module enables the user to enter the system parameters and displays and records the data. The control unit generates the timing signals so that all the components operate in unison. This unit also does some preliminary data processing. The pulse travel paths in order of arrival are direct air wave, direct ground wave, and reflections.

The main objective of the Heritage Within (HWITHIN) research project is to investigate what is hidden to our naked eye. One of the core actions of the project was to explore the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and ultrasonic acoustic tomography to document and reconstruct precisely the interior of the constructive elements, almost on a stone-by-stone basis. However, precisely because it is not visible, the results obtained and the conclusions drawn cannot be verified with the reality. In the case of the Carmo Convent, the structural elements under investigations are the neogothic compound piers of the main nave, reconstructed after the 1755 earthquake. There is insufficient information on the layout of the interior morphology of the pillar’s cross-section. Additionally, finding relatable examples to compare to the compound pillars at the Carmo Convent are quite minimal, making it complicated for even initial assumptions to be established. Therefore, the team decided to construct 1:1 stone replicas of parts of the neogothic stone masonry pillars (the shaft and the pedestal). The specimens were used to assess the feasibility and efficiency of the non-destructive tests applied (GPR and acoustic tomography) to determine the layout of their internal morphology. Since the cross- section of the real pillars of the Carmo Convent is unknown, the replica only precisely depicts the exterior layout of the columns. The shapes of the stones were established on initial guesses based on literature review. Once the limestones were cut, several cross-sectional set-ups were prepared, mainly accounting for a wide range of possible interior core materials (from fully empty core to a solid limestone block filling). Acoustic tomography was carried out for each assembly so that accurate comparisons between the tomographic maps could be made. Moreover, given the known inner composition of the laboratory specimens, the results can help to understand the potential of the tomographic tec

This work studies ultrasonic propagation in liquid and ice water drops. The effect of porosity on attenuation of ultrasonic waves in the drops is also explored. The motivation of this research was the possible application of ultrasonic techniques to the study of interstellar and com-etary ice analogs. These ice analogs, made by vapor deposition onto a cold substrate at 10 K, can display high porosity values up to 40%. We found that the ultrasonic pulse was fully attenuated in such ice, and decided to grow ice samples by freezing a liquid drop. Several experiments were performed using liquid or frozen water drops with and without pores. An ultrasonic pulse was transmitted through each drop and measured. This method served to estimate the ultrasonic velocity of each drop by measuring drop size and time-of-flight of ultrasonic transmission. Propagation of ultrasonic waves in these drops was also simulated numerically using the SimNDT pro-gram developed by the authors. After that, the ultrasonic velocity was related with the porosity using a micromechanical model. It was found that a low value of porosity in the ice is sufficient to attenuate the ultrasonic propagation. This explains the observed lack of transmission in porous astrophysical ice analogs.

Sensor para la medida continua de resistencias mecánicas en una estructura de material cementicio. Otro objeto de la invención se refiere a dos sistemas de medida que emplean dicho sensor: un sistema de medida continua basado en un efecto de inducción electromagnética, y otro sistema de medida continua basado en un efecto de magnetoinductancia, así como el método de medida de cada sistema y un método de fabricación de dicho sensor. Elsensor se embebe directamente, como un simple agregado más, en una estructura de material cementicio, preferentemente hormigón, de modo que permite medir el estado de tensión mecánica/deformación interno de dicha estructura de material cementicio de forma continua y sin afectar a su estructura ni su estado de tensión. El sensor comprende un bloque de material cementicio en el que está embebido un microhilo magnético donde dicho microhilo magnético comprende un núcleo ferromagnético y un revestimiento aislante de vidrio

Sub-slab depressurisation systems have proven to effectively mitigate radon entry. A poor understanding of the fluid physics underlying the technique has been shown to lower the success rate substantially. This article describes a study of pressure fields in a sub-slab gravel bed induced by a soil depressurisation system consisting of perforated pipes run under the slab at a depth of 75 cm. The advantage of the approach is that pipes can be laid from outside the building to be protected. The study was conducted on a large-scale experimental facility where the variations in morphology and scope of pressure fields with different pipe combinations could be monitored and characterised. The findings showed that pressure was uniform across the entire area in the gravel bed, whereas the sensors buried in natural soil showed pressure to depend on distance from the source. Pressure transfer to the sub-slab plane was also observed to vary depending on the active pipe. Air-flow resistance studies in the layers of soil lying between the pipes and the gravel delivered different results for each pipe. That finding would appear to be related to the presence of preferential pathways in some parts of the soil. Total pressure when several pipes were activated was observed to be practically the same as the sum of the pressures transferred by each when working separately. The correlation between extraction fan power and pressure generated was also analysed. These and other factors are discussed and analysed from a perspective of the understanding of such highly effective techniques.

The invention relates to a sensor for the continuous measurement of mechanical resistance in a structure made from cementitious material. The invention also relates to two measurement systems using the aforementioned sensor: a continuous measurement system based on an electromagnetic induction effect, and a continuous measurement system based on a magnetic inductance effect, as well as to the measurement method of each system and a method for the production of the sensor. The sensor is embedded directly, as a simple additional aggregate, in a structure made from cementitious material, preferably concrete, such as to allow the internal mechanical stress/deformation state of the structure to be measured continuously without affecting the structure or its stress state. The sensor comprises a block of cementitious material in which a magnetic microwire is embedded, said magnetic microwire comprising a ferromagnetic core and an insulating glass sheath

This paper presents the influence of environmental conditions on behaviour of concrete manufactured with recycled or steel slag aggregates. These materials were monitored during 270 days, approximately, by means of wireless sensor networks and a specific set of sensors, designed and fabricated to monitor internal temperature and humidity at different positions, as well as internal strain. In addition, ultrasonic velocity was monitored during early ages. For that purpose, different mixes have been analysed and tested under similar conditions. At early ages, it was found that the hydration process is accelerated adding recycled aggregates and delayed for steel slags, but the highest compressive strength values after 28 days of curing, were reached for steel slag aggregates and these values increase with the percentage of replacement. At long term, all mixes except the mixes with only steel slag aggregates have lost more RH than in normal concrete. The shrinkage in concrete with recycled aggregates or with only steel slags is higher than the observed in normal concrete.

In different disciplines of science, the knowledge of the resulting pressures in the subsoil can help to understand physical phenomena of mass exchange between the atmosphere and the terrain. The measurement of lower differential pressures is complicated given the low range of detected values. In this paper, a multisensor system has been designed and developed to measure differential pressures in radon gas transport studies. The adequacy of this system has been proven using a purpose-built pressure chamber and an automatic motion system developed by the authors. The temporal response frequencies, the pressure values measured by the sensors, and their ability to link in series were analyzed to offer a multisensor spatial and temporal mapping. At the same time, the influence of the components required for a real deployment were studied using different tube lengths and diameters, connectors, and obstructions across the operating range of the pressure sensors. The system has also been tested for measuring differential pressures in a real model with a concrete slab above the soil and a pressure generator system below. It was found that this system is very suitable for outdoor measurements that demand a quick temporal response and accuracy.

In this paper a system is presented to monitor in-situ the curing process of sprayed concrete. This system consists of an instrumented trough based on wireless sensor networks for monitoring temperature/relative humidity and ultrasounds. The trough has been designed using a trapezoidal cast with several encapsulated transducers and an electronic system for generation, acquisition and processing of ultrasonic signals. A methodology for the measurement of ultrasonic velocity has also been proposed. This system has been proven to be a very good solution for in-situ monitoring of the curing process of sprayed concrete, being able to detect problems or defects in the material fabrication.

In this paper, a magnetic microwire-based sensor array embedded under the pavement is proposed as a weighing system at customs ports of entry. This sensor is made of a cementitious material suitable for embedding within the core of concrete structures prior to curing. The objective of this research is to verify the feasibility of stress monitoring for concrete materials using an array of cement-based stress/strain sensors that have been developed using the magnetic sensing property of an embedded microwire in a cement-based composite. Test results for microwire-based sensors and gauge sensors are compared. The strain sensitivity and their linearity are investigated through experimental testing under compressive loadings. Sensors made of these materials can be designed to satisfy specific needs and reduce costs in the production of sensor aggregates with improved coupling performance, thus avoiding any disturbance to the stress state.

This paper deals with the study of internal stress produced during freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles using two non-destructive measurement approaches¿the first approach devoted to continuous and internal monitoring using an embedded sensor based on amorphous ferromagnetic microwire during the cycles, and the second one, measuring the strain variations at the surface of the specimens by means of strain gauges. Also, measurements of ultrasonic pulse velocity through the concrete specimens were taken simultaneously during the freeze-thaw cycles. The objectives of this paper are to investigate the internal strain of freeze-thaw exposure providing a new way of measurement. These inspections may provide great reference for further research on the development of a calculation modelling of deterioration process in concrete structures under a freeze-thaw environment., [ES] Este artículo trata sobre el estudio de los esfuerzos mecanicos internos producidos durante los ciclos de congelación y descongelación (FT) utilizando dos enfoques de medición no destructiva durante los ciclos: el primero mediante monitorizacion continua con un sensor embebido basado en un microhilo ferromagnético, y el segundo, midiendo las variaciones de tensión mecanica en la superficie de las muestras mediante galgas extensiometricas. Además, se llevaron a cabo mediciones simultaneas de la velocidad del pulso ultrasónico a través de las muestras de hormigon durante los ciclos de congelación y descongelación. Los objetivos de este trabajo son investigar la tensión interna generada por la exposición a los ciclos de hielo y deshielo proponiendo una nueva alternativa de medida. Estas inspecciones pueden proporcionar una gran referencia para futuras investigaciones sobre el desarrollo de un modelo de cálculo del proceso de deterioro en estructuras de concreto en un entorno de congelación y descongelación.

[EN] The invention relates to a sensor for the continuous measurement of mechanical resistance in a structure made from cementitious material. The invention also relates to two measurement systems using the aforementioned sensor: a continuous measurement system based on an electromagnetic induction effect, and a continuous measurement system based on a magnetic inductance effect, as well as to the measurement method of each system and a method for the production of the sensor. The sensor is embedded directly, as a simple additional aggregate, in a structure made from cementitious material, preferably concrete, such as to allow the internal mechanical stress/deformation state of the structure to be measured continuously without affecting the structure or its stress state. The sensor comprises a block of cementitious material in which a magnetic microwire is embedded, said magnetic microwire comprising a ferromagnetic core and an insulating glass sheath., [ES] Sensor para la medida continua de resistencias mecánicas en una estructura de material cementicio. Otro objeto de la invención se refiere a dos sistemas de medida que emplean dicho sensor: un sistema de medida continua basado en un efecto de inducción electromagnética, y otro sistema de medida continua basado en un efecto de magnetoinductancia, así como el método de medida de cada sistema y un método de fabricación de dicho sensor. Elsensor se embebe directamente, como un simple agregado más, en una estructura de material cementicio, preferentemente hormigón, de modo que permite medir el estado de tensión mecánica/deformación interno de dicha estructura de material cementicio de forma continua y sin afectar a su estructura ni su estado de tensión. El sensor comprende un bloque de material cementicio en el que está embebido un microhilo magnético donde dicho microhilo magnético comprende un núcleo ferromagnético y un revestimiento aislante de vidrio.

Sensor para la medida continua de resistencias mecánicas en una estructura de material cementicio. Otro objeto de la invención se refiere a dos sistemas de medida que emplean dicho sensor: un sistema de medida continua basado en un efecto de inducción electromagnética, y otro sistema de medida continua basado en un efecto de magnetoinductancia, así como el método de medida de cada sistema y un método de fabricación de dicho sensor. Elsensor se embebe directamente, como un simple agregado más, en una estructura de material cementicio, preferentemente hormigón, de modo que permite medir el estado de tensión mecánica/deformación interno de dicha estructura de material cementicio de forma continua y sin afectar a su estructura ni su estado de tensión. El sensor comprende un bloque de material cementicio en el que está embebido un microhilo magnético donde dicho microhilo magnético comprende un núcleo ferromagnético y un revestimiento aislante de vidrio.

[EN] The invention relates to a sensor for the continuous measurement of mechanical resistance in a structure made from cementitious material. The invention also relates to two measurement systems using the aforementioned sensor: a continuous measurement system based on an electromagnetic induction effect, and a continuous measurement system based on a magnetic inductance effect, as well as to the measurement method of each system and a method for the production of the sensor. The sensor is embedded directly, as a simple additional aggregate, in a structure made from cementitious material, preferably concrete, such as to allow the internal mechanical stress/deformation state of the structure to be measured continuously without affecting the structure or its stress state. The sensor comprises a block of cementitious material in which a magnetic microwire is embedded, said magnetic microwire comprising a ferromagnetic core and an insulating glass sheath., [ES] Sensor para la medida continua de resistencias mecánicas en una estructura de material cementicio. Otro objeto de la invención se refiere a dos sistemas de medida que emplean dicho sensor: un sistema de medida continua basado en un efecto de inducción electromagnética, y otro sistema de medida continua basado en un efecto de magnetoinductancia, así como el método de medida de cada sistema y un método de fabricación de dicho sensor. Elsensor se embebe directamente, como un simple agregado más, en una estructura de material cementicio, preferentemente hormigón, de modo que permite medir el estado de tensión mecánica/deformación interno de dicha estructura de material cementicio de forma continua y sin afectar a su estructura ni su estado de tensión. El sensor comprende un bloque de material cementicio en el que está embebido un microhilo magnético donde dicho microhilo magnético comprende un núcleo ferromagnético y un revestimiento aislante de vidrio.

This paper presents the results of a thorough microstructural characterisation of a set of cement mortars (made with three w/b ratios and five different cement types), degraded by the ammonium nitrate method. Both destructive and ultrasonic non-destructive techniques were used to characterise the samples. The initial calcium content of the samples plays a dominant role in both the advance of the degradation process and the degradation grade of the samples. In addition, the decalcification process kinetics and the degradation grade are modelled, using Fick’s second law of diffusion and the shrinking unreacted- core model. Two parametric equations are presented and used to estimate the decalcification process kinetics and the degradation grade using accessible microstructural parameters of the native mortars, such as the initial CaO content, the open porosity, and the cementitious matrix volume fraction. Furthermore, the degraded depth in the samples is measured using ultrasonic testing with an average error of about 10%.

El sistema inalámbrico de medida del grado de fraguado y endurecimiento de materiales cementicios comprende un sensor ultrasónico, un sensor de temperatura, un sensor de humedad relativa, una red de comunicación inalámbrica compuesta por al menos dos nodos para la adquisición y procesamiento de señales electrónicas provenientes de sensores y un sistema informático, tal que el sistema informático calcula la resistencia mecánica del material cementicio. Por otro lado, el método comprende los siguientes pasos: capturar unos datos de temperatura T y humedad H, capturar una señal ultrasónica para la medida de velocidad de propagación V, capturar una señal ultrasónica para la medida del coeficiente de reflexión CR, enviar todos los registros anteriores de las señales sensoriales al nodo principal, procesar las señales para obtener los parámetros velocidad V y coeficiente de reflexión CR, enviar los datos obtenidos al sistema informático y calcular la resistencia mecánica mínima RC(V,CR,T,H) del material cementicio.

[EN] The invention relates to a wireless system for measuring the degree of setting and hardening of cementitious materials, comprising an ultrasonic sensor, a temperature sensor, a relative humidity sensor, a wireless communication network consisting of at least two nodes for the acquisition and processing of electronic signals from sensors, and a computer system, the computer system calculating the mechanical resistance of the cementitious material. The method comprises the following steps: capturing temperature Ty and humidity H data; capturing an ultrasonic signal for the measurement of propagation speed V; capturing an ultrasonic signal for the measurement of the reflection coefficient CR; sending all of the previous records of the sensory signals to the main node; processing the signals in order to obtain the speed V and reflection coefficient CR parameters; sending the data obtained to the computer system; and calculating the minimum mechanical resistance RC (V,CR,T,H) of the cementitious material., [ES] El sistema inalámbrico de medida del grado de fraguado y endurecimiento de materiales cementicios comprende un sensor ultrasónico, un sensor de temperatura, un sensor de humedad relativa, una red de comunicación inalámbrica compuesta por al menos dos nodos para la adquisición y procesamiento de señales electrónicas provenientes de sensores y un sistema informático, tal que el sistema informático calcula la resistencia mecánica del material cementicio. Por otro lado, el método comprende los siguientes pasos: capturar unos datos de temperatura Ty humedad H, capturar una señal ultrasónica para la medida de velocidad de propagación V, capturar una señal ultrasónica para la medida del coeficiente de reflexión CR, enviar todos los registros anteriore de las señales sensoriales al nodo principal, procesar las señales para obtener los parámetros velocidad V y coeficiente de reflexión CR, enviarlos datos obtenidos al sistema informático y calcular la resistencia mecánica minima Re (V,CR,T,H) del material cementicio.

Es un sistema diseñado para su utilización de forma autónoma en un ambiente exterior a los laboratorios, que permite crear mapas de parámetros ultrasónicos con el fin de proporcionar información tanto de la localidad como del estado de deterioro de testigos y probetas con simetría axial (10) de materiales cementicios, que comprende un subsistema de inspección (1), que incorpora a su vez medios de barrido mecánico (2) y medios electrónicos de control (3) y un subsistema de generación de imagen ultrasónica (4), que incorpora a su vez medios de emisión-recepción y adquisición de señales ultrasónicas (5) y medios de procesamiento y almacenamiento digital de la información (6), que genera la imagen ultrasónica para su evaluación.

Se describe un sistema y un método de cartografía digital de vegetación sobre terrenos cultivados, que permite la detección yel registro de su localización dentro de la parcela. Los mapas obtenidos tienen utilidad desde un punto de vista de actuación, en el caso que se pretenda eliminar la vegetación arvense de forma localizada, o desde el punto de vista científico, en el caso de estudiar la dinámica espacio-temporal de poblaciones vegetales.

[EN] This is a system which is designed to be autonomously used in an environment outside laboratories and makes it possible to create maps and axial scans of ultrasonic parameters for the purpose of providing infonnation relating to both the quality and the state of deterioration of specimens and test tubes with axial symmetry (10) of cementitious materials, which system comprises an inspection subsystem (1), which in turn includes mechanical scanning means (2) and electronic control means (3), and an ultrasonic image generating subsystem (4) which in turn includes ultrasonic signal acquisition and transmitting/receiving means (5) and digital infonnation storage and processing means (6) and generates the ultrasonic image for the evaluation thereof., [ES] Es un sistema diseñado para su utilización de fonna autónoma en un ambiente exterior a los laboratorios, que pennite crear mapas y tomografIas axiales de parámetros ultrasónicos con el fin de proporcionar infonnación tanto de la calidad como del estado de deterioro de testigos y probetas con simetría axial(lO) de materiales cementicios, que comprende un subsistema de inspección(1), que incorpora a su vez medios de barrido mecánico(2) y medios electrónicos de control (3) y un subsistema de generación de imagen ultrasónica( 4), que incorpora a su vez medios de emisión-recepción y adquisición de señales ultrasónicas (5) y medios de procesamiento y almacenamiento digital de la infonnación(6), que genera la imagen ultrasónica para su evaluación.