A new method for structural diagnostics with muon tomography and deep learning

Abstract

This work investigates the production of high-resolution images of typical support elements in concrete structures by means of muon tomography (muography). By exploiting detailed Monte Carlo radiation-matter simulations, we demonstrate the feasibility of reconstructing 1 cm-thick iron bars inside 30 cm-deep concrete blocks, regarded as an important testbed within the structural diagnostics community. In addition, we present a new method for integrating simulated data with advanced deep learning techniques in order to improve the muon imaging of concrete structures. Through deep learning enhancement techniques, this results in a dramatic improvement in image quality and a significant reduction in data acquisition time, which are two critical limitations within the usual practice of muography for civil engineering diagnostics.