In concrete structures, hidden cracks can foreshadow structural accidents as they grow. Detecting these hidden cracks early can help control cracking risks. However, due to the combined effects of their microscopic scale and the macroscopic scale of engineering structures, there is currently a lack of effective methods for detecting hidden cracks in high concrete dams. This study proposes a novel detection method based on the capillary adsorption principle of hidden cracks in concrete. It involves developing a fluorescent solution and using drones equipped with ultraviolet radiation and fluorescence stimulation to detect and locate hidden cracks. The study also introduces a method for interpreting the stimulated forms of hidden cracks and has developed two drone platforms: one for spraying fluorescent solution and stimulation, and the other for ultraviolet radiation and optical imaging detection and positioning. Field tests on the Gehayan high concrete dam have identified hidden cracks as small as 0.01 mm in the sidewall and the road bridge, addressing the industry challenge of efficiently detecting hidden cracks in hard-to-reach areas. This data can support the prevention and control of cracking risks in the Gehayan dam by providing early warning information.
This dataset is obtained using radar - based detection equipment with concrete crack depth indicators. During the process, liquid indicators are injected into cracks via an injection device. Radar antennas with matching frequencies visually track the injection. When the indicator reaches the crack tip, radar waves locate it to determine the crack depth.
This dataset is directly obtained using the radar - based detection equipment for concrete crack depth indicators in high concrete dams, without the need for processing.
For cracks with a surface width < 0.1 mm and an estimated depth < 40 cm, use Type I indicator with 2.6 GHz radar detection. For widths of 0.1 - 0.2 mm and depths < 100 cm, use Type II indicator with 900 MHz radar. For widths > 0.2 mm and depths > 100 cm, use Type III indicator with 400 MHz radar. During testing, inject the indicator into the crack's deep tip via an injection device. Use radar antenna radiation to visualize the injection process. When the indicator reaches the crack tip, radiate radar waves again to locate it and determine the crack depth.
| # | number | name | type |
| 1 | 2021YFC3090104 | National key R & D plan |
This work is licensed under
CC BY 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License).
CSTR:11738.11.NCDC.NHRI_DAM.DB6884.2025
10.12072/ncdc.nhri_dam.db6884.2025
