ACTIVE HEATING INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY FOR DETECTION OF SUBSURFACE BRIDGE DECK DETERIORATION

This Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) project developed a method based on the technique of active heating infrared thermography for detecting delamination and deterioration in bridge decks. A review of infrared thermography was conducted with special reference to the nondestructive evaluation of civil structures. An evaluation of available equipment was carried out with reference to layout and configurations available for pavement heaters, the quantity of heat output, and the ability to control this output. Analytical studies employed a thermal/mechanical model of the medium to evaluate its thermal and mechanical responses to proposed thermal inputs. The model incorporated geometric and material property variations to determine their effectiveness. The studies showed that detectable differentials can be produced using the output of a standard pavement heater with 5-10 seconds of heating application. The analytical studies were coordinated with laboratory studies. A 4 ft by 8 ft by 7.25 in. thick laboratory test slab was built with simulated delaminations incorporated at different locations and depths. Ten-second heating tests were carried out on this slab using the same type of commercial heating equipment that would be used on a full-scale deck. The infrared data collected on the heated slab showed detectable temperature differentials at the delaminated locations, proving the feasibility of using an active infrared system for bridge decks. A cost analysis shows the active infrared method to be less than half the cost of chain dragging method and performed in one-tenth of the time.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/archive/studies/idea/finalreports/highway/NCHRP101_Final_Report.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This NCHRP-IDEA investigation was conducted by Infrasense, Inc., Arlington, Massachusetts. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Maser, K
• Publication Date: 2004-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 30 p.
• Serial:
  • NCHRP-IDEA Program Project Final Report
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Delamination; Deterioration; Equipment; Heaters; Nondestructive tests; Thermographs
• Identifier Terms: Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) (Program)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Subsurface deterioration; Temperature differentials
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00982194
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: NCHRP-IDEA Project 101
• Contract Numbers: NCHRP-IDEA 101
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Nov 30 2004 12:00AM