# Capacitive Sensor Based 2D Subsurface Imaging Technology for Non Destructive Evaluation of Building Surfaces

## TL;DR

This paper presents a novel capacitive sensor technology capable of real-time 2D subsurface imaging for non-destructive evaluation of building surfaces, aiding maintenance and structural understanding.

## Contribution

It introduces a new capacitive sensor system with optimized configuration, capable of real-time 2D imaging for non-destructive building surface analysis.

## Key findings

- Successfully visualizes subsurface structures beneath wood and concrete
- Real-time 2D imaging enhances building maintenance processes
- Sensor configuration optimized via FEA simulations

## Abstract

Understanding the underlying structure of building surfaces like walls and floors is essential when carrying out building maintenance and modification work. To facilitate such work, this paper introduces a capacitive sensor-based technology which can conduct non-destructive evaluation of building surfaces. The novelty of this sensor is that it can generate a real-time 2D subsurface image which can be used to understand structure beneath the top surface. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations are done to understand the best sensor head configuration that gives optimum results. Hardware and software components are custom-built to facilitate real-time imaging capability. The sensor is validated by laboratory tests, which revealed the ability of the proposed capacitive sensing technology to see through common building materials like wood and concrete. The 2D image generated by the sensor is found to be useful in understanding the subsurface structure beneath the top surface.