Two-sensor scheme of acoustic tomography implementation for estimation of tree state

by

I.V. Matelenok

Saint-Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation,

RF, Saint-Petersburg, Bolshaya Morskaia, 67, lit. A

E-mail: igor_matelenok@mail.ru

DOI: 10.33075/2220-5861-2026-1-39-46

UDC 632.08/57.087                             

EDN: https://elibrary.ru/tlgizk

Abstract:     

The paper considers implementation routines of wood assessment via sound waves aimed at defect detecting. A two-sensor scheme for acoustic tomography of living tree trunks, offering a hardware implementation simplified compared to common multi-sensor solutions is proposed. This scheme involves mechanical impact initiation of vibrations in the wood and their detecting by sensors positioned at known distances, followed by analysis of the resulting signals. To test the functionality of the scheme, a hardware and software setup was made, comprising sensors, an audio amplifier, a laptop, wired interfaces, and a software suite. Automated processing of the sensor signals is performed by a program written in R language. The setup was used to carry out tomographic inspection of a decayed tree trunk fragment (a cut). Wood areas within the cut were identified where sound speed was minimal, which may indicate significant damage to the plant tissue. Conclusions regarding the location of such areas were confirmed by the results of mechanical probing tests of the cut using a hardness tester and a caliper with depth gauge. The data obtained demonstrated that the proposed acoustic tomography implementation scheme can be used for standing tree inspection.

Keywords: acoustic tomography, defect detection, instrumental diagnostics, stress waves, tree, trunk, wood

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