01473549

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2360-02

http://scholar.google.com...ayan&publication_year=2013

Infrared thermography has the potential to detect subsurface delaminations before spalling develops and could be used to improve the visual inspection of concrete bridges. The technology has traditionally been applied to bridge decks, which are exposed to radiant heating from the sun that helps develop the necessary thermal gradients in the concrete. Thermal gradients can also be developed from normal diurnal temperature variations. Convective heat transfer develops the thermal gradients, although these thermal gradients are of much lower magnitude than those developed through radiant heating from the sun. This paper presents the results of a study to develop thermal imaging for the detection of subsurface deterioration in the soffit areas of bridges; these soffit areas are shaded and therefore are not exposed to radiant heating from the sun. Experimental studies and field testing were conducted and are described. This paper reports on guidelines developed for this application of the technology; the guidelines address the necessary environmental conditions to enable the detection of damage in bridge soffit areas. Specifically, the paper discusses the rates of change in ambient temperature needed to ensure that subsurface damage can be detected in shaded conditions. The paper also discusses the effect of wind speed on the detectability of subsurface damage in the shaded areas of a bridge, as well as the camera settings needed to ensure that an inspector can detect temperature anomalies associated with subsurface damage. A field example is provided to illustrate the application of the technology and highlight the required camera settings.

01500226

13-2012

English

pp 13–20

2013

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309286862

Print

Figures (5) ; Photos; References (19)

Bridge members; Concrete bridges; Delamination; Flaw detection; Guidelines; Infrared imagery; Inspection; Maintenance; Temperature gradients; Thermal imagery

Soffits

Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods

PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 5 2013 12:27PM

• Defining Bridge Preservation by Action Type
• Development of Bridge Management Components That Facilitate Decision Making
• Fatigue Testing and Structural Health Monitoring of Retrofitted Web Stiffeners on Steel Highway Bridges
• Holistic Approach to Maintenance and Preservation of Transportation Infrastructure
• Modeling Hurricane Hazards and Damage on Florida Bridges
• Modeling the Risk of Advanced Deterioration in Bridge Management Systems
• Performance Measures for Bridge Preservation
• Test Method to Assess Bonding Characteristics of Membrane Layers in Wearing Course on Orthotropic Steel Bridge Decks
• Vulnerability Assessment of Bridges Exposed to Scour