DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW SYSTEM FOR DETECTING FATIGUE CRACKS IN STEEL BRIDGES

The nondestructive detection and characterization of fatigue cracks during field inspection of steel bridge structures are put in perspective in terms of the magnitude of the problem and viable nondestructive methods. The results of nondestructive method assessment, selection, evaluation, and experimental confirmation are presented in detail. Developed as a useful and effective solution to the problem, the inspection system consists of two independent, complementary, lightweight, battery-powered electronic instruments-an acoustic crack detector (ACD), which uses ultrasonic principles, automatic signal analysis, and a simple digital data display for rapid survey, and a magnetic crack definer (MCD), which uses magnetic principles and a simple ON-OFF light data display for defining the precise location and crack length. The features and functioning of the equipment are briefly described, and laboratory and field demonstrations, presentations, and field inspections are reviewed. The technical basis for equipment development, including equipment concepts, is summarized.

• Corporate Authors:

  Southwest Research Institute

  Department of Instrumentation Research, 8500 Culebra Road
  San Antonio, TX  United States  78284

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Barton, J R
  • Kusenberger, F N
  • Birchak, J R
• Publication Date: 1973-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 147 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic detectors; Acoustic equipment; Acoustics; Construction; Cracking; Detection and identification; Detectors; Electromagnetic properties; Electronic equipment; Fatigue tests; Field tests; Fluxes; Fracture mechanics; Highway bridges; Inspection; Magnetic detectors; Mechanical fatigue; Metal bridges; Nondestructive tests; Steel; Steel bridges; Ultrasonic tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crack propagation; Magnetic flux
• Old TRIS Terms: Acoustic detection; Electronic devices; Magnetic detection; Steel construction
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00093435
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-73- 89 Final Rpt., FCP 35F1-012
• Contract Numbers: FH-11-7794
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 29 1976 12:00AM