Rayleigh wave velocity computation using principal wavelet-component analysis

Many researchers utilize Rayleigh wave velocity for nondestructive evaluation of concrete structures. Nondestructive testing using Rayleigh wave requires only one side of a member, offering the advantage in applicability. After measuring surface waveforms on one side, a signal processing technique is required to compute the time-of-flight of the propagating Rayleigh wave. This paper proposes a technique to this end using a principal wavelet-component analysis. Through testing with numerical and experimental samples, it is found that the new technique is accurate like other conventional methods and has better reliability less obstructed by various noise and reflection waves.