Concrete Tunnel Lining Evaluation Using Nondestructive Techniques: A Multi-method Case Study at Eisenhower Tunnel

An in-depth investigation of tunnel linings is performed at Eisenhower Tunnel, 60 miles west of Denver, Colorado, using a combination of four nondestructive testing methods: air- and ground-coupled ground penetrating radar (GPR), ultrasonic echo (US echo), ultrasonic tomography (UST), and impact echo (IE). A robotic frame with pneumatically operated vacuum plates is used to automate GPR, US echo, and IE. UST was performed manually. These techniques are used to identify and locate the reinforcement mesh and structural steel ribs. Local changes in ultrasonic phase are calculated by phase analysis processing techniques and apparent relationships between positive and negative phase shifts and steel and air interfaces are observed. According to previous laboratory research, these relationships indicate the bonded state between the concrete and the embedded steel, but without ground truth verification this can only be suggested. It is shown that this combination of methods can be used synergistically to provide tunnel owners with the layout and possible condition of tunnel lining reinforcement and structural components.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFF40 Field Testing and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) of Transportation Structures.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • White, Joshua
  • Wolf, Julia
  • Shokouhi, Parisa
  • Hurlebaus, Stefan
  • Wimsatt, Andrew
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2013-1-13 to 2013-1-17
• Date: 2013

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 16p
• Monograph Title: TRB 92nd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Ground penetrating radar; Inspection; Nondestructive tests; Tunnel lining; Tunnels; Ultrasonic tests
• Candidate Terms: Impact echo tests
• Geographic Terms: Colorado
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I25: Design of Tunnels; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01473456
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 13-3381
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 22 2013 10:29AM