Detection of Surface and Subsurface Cracks in Metallic and Non-Metallic Materials Using a Complementary Split-Ring Resonator

• Main Authors: Ali Albishi, Omar M. Ramahi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2014-10-01
• Series: Sensors
• Subjects: crack detection; complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR); microstrip linetechnology; near-field detection; metamaterials
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/14/10/19354

Available microwave techniques for crack detection have some challenges, such as design complexity and working at a high frequency. These challenges make the sensing apparatus design complex and relatively very expensive. This paper presents a simple method for surface and subsurface crack detection in metallic and non-metallic materials based on complementary split-ring resonators (CSRRs). A CSRR sensor can be patterned on the ground plane of a microstrip line and fabricated using printed circuit board technology. Compared to available microwave techniques for sub-millimeter crack detection, the methods presented here show distinct advantages, such as high spatial resolution, high sensitivity and design simplicity. The response of the CSRR as a sensor for crack detection is studied and analysed numerically. Experimental validations are also presented.