Remote Inspection of the Structural Integrity of Engineering Structures and Materials with Passive MST Probes

This paper presents a method for the remote inspection of the structural integrity of engineering structures and materials, based on passive modulated scattering probes. In particular, a set of passive modulated scattering technique (MST) probes with diagnostic capabilities are embedded in structures, such as reinforced concrete slabs, with the objective of detecting water infiltrations, chemical deterioration, such as carbonation, and damages of the material structure. An external reader is used to provide the interrogating electromagnetic wave and to receive the signal generated by the MST probes. The material/structure integrity can be retrieved from the signal retransmitted by the probes. A set of preliminary experiments have been carried out to assess the potentialities of the method and to demonstrate how this system can be implemented for practical applications.