Spectrum-Based Method for Detecting Seepage in Concrete Cracks of Dams
Jin Song Tang, Yifan Xu, Zhenchao Liu, Xile Wang, Shuai Niu, Dongyang Han, Xiaobin Cao
Abstract
Cracks and seepage in dam structures pose a serious risk to their safety, yet traditional inspection methods often fall short when it comes to detecting shallow or early-stage fractures. This study proposes a new approach that uses spectral response analysis to quickly identify signs of seepage in concrete dams. Researchers developed a three-layer model—representing the concrete, a seepage zone, and water—to better understand how cracks affect the way electrical signals behave, thereby inverting the state of the dam based on how electrical signals behave in actual engineering measurements. Through computer simulations and lab experiments, the team explored how changes in the resistivity and thickness of the seepage layer, along with the resistivity of surrounding water, influence key indicators like impedance and signal angle. The results show that the “spectrum-based method” can effectively detect seepage in concrete cracks of dams, and the measurement method of the “spectral quadrupole method” based on the “spectrum-based method” is highly sensitive to these variations, making it a promising tool for spotting early seepage. Field tests backed up the lab findings, confirming that this method is significantly better than traditional techniques at detecting cracks less than a meter deep and identifying early signs of water intrusion. It could provide dam inspectors with a more reliable way to monitor structural health and prevent potential failures.