Analysis of concrete including a reinforcing bar

Abstract

In one general aspect, a computer-readable storage medium can be configured to store instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a process. The instructions comprising instructions to trigger flow of an alternating current having a waveform defining a range of frequencies from a waveform generator to a reinforcing bar embedded within concrete via a probe coupled to a surface of the concrete, and receive an indicator of a time-resolved current magnitude of the alternating current through a portion of the concrete associated with the surface of the concrete.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a process, the instructions comprising instructions to:
 trigger flow of an alternating current having a waveform defining a range of frequencies from a waveform generator to a reinforcing bar embedded within concrete via a probe coupled to a surface of the concrete; and   receive an indicator of a time-resolved current magnitude of the alternating current through a portion of the concrete associated with the surface of the concrete.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the range of frequencies includes a range of frequencies over at least two orders of magnitude, and the alternating current has a substantially constant voltage amplitude relative to an electrical potential of the reinforcing bar. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing bar embedded within the concrete functions as a ground node. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions to:
 increase a current of the alternating current substantially at a constant voltage of the alternating current.   
     
     
         5 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions to:
 maintain an electrical potential of a guard ring substantially at an electrical potential of the probe.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the concrete includes the surface of the concrete and is in contact with the reinforcing bar. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the probe is surrounded by a guard ring. 
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 trigger flow of an alternating current having a waveform defining a range of frequencies from a waveform generator to a reinforcing bar embedded within concrete via a probe in contact with a surface of the concrete; and   receive an indicator of a time-resolved current magnitude of the alternating current through a portion of the concrete associated with the surface of the concrete.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the range of frequencies includes a range of frequencies over at least two orders of magnitude, and the alternating current has a substantially constant voltage amplitude relative to an electrical potential of the reinforcing bar. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing bar embedded within the concrete functions as a ground node. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising instructions to:
 increase a current of the alternating current substantially at a constant voltage of the alternating current.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising instructions to:
 maintain an electrical potential of a guard ring substantially at an electrical potential of the probe.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the portion of the concrete includes the surface of the concrete and is in contact with the reinforcing bar. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the probe is surrounded by a guard ring. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 coupling a ground node of a concrete analyzer to a reinforcing bar embedded within concrete;   placing a probe over a portion of the concrete; and   producing an alternating current having a waveform defining a range of frequencies through the probe.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 applying a fluid to the probe at least one of before or during the producing the alternating current.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alternating current is included in a multi-frequency waveform,
 the method further comprising:   analyzing the alternating current based on a mathematical transform.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the portion of the concrete is a first portion of the concrete, the triggering includes a first alternating current starting at a first time,
 the method further comprising:   placing a probe over a second portion of the concrete separate from the first portion of the concrete while the ground node of the concrete analyzer remains coupled to the reinforcing bar embedded within the concrete; and   producing, starting at a second time, a second alternating current through the probe and through the second portion of the concrete.