NDT for bridges durability assessment on urban-industrial environment in Brazil

Abstract

Purpose The limitation of bridges’ operation can cause serious social, environmental and economic losses. Therefore, the monitoring and maintenance actions of these structures must be efficient and periodic, especially for bridges located in aggressive environments, such as urban-industrial centres, where the higher volume of carbon dioxide emissions favours carbonation induced corrosion. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the utility of including non-destructive testing (NDTs) to bridges assessment in that regions as a way of obtaining more in-depth information on the conditions of the material composing the structure. Design/methodology/approach First, the main bridges’ damages were detected by visual inspection. Then, based on the observations of bridges design, environment and main damages, an NDT programme was executed including surface hardness, ultrasonic pulse velocity test, pH indicator spraying, half-cell potential measurements and concrete resistivity tests. Findings It was observed that, for the studied cases, the carbonation did not present harmful depths, except for the structural elements where segregation and wear of the concrete were noticed. NDTs, associated with visual inspection, indicated the regions where corrective or preventive maintenance actions were actually needed, bringing greater security to the decision maker in regions where repairs are unnecessary or could be postponed. Originality/value This paper highlights the contribution of NDTs application in structures in urban-industrial regions where the main mechanism of deterioration is carbonation-induced corrosion, demonstrating the importance of these methods in the rational decision making of investments for maintenance.

Monitoring the Self-healing of Concrete from the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity

“…However, the presence of heterogeneities, such as cracks, causes modifications in the internal structure of the concrete and hinders the passage of the pulse. In the latter case, the travel time is longer than in the first example, reducing the ultrasonic pulse velocity [11].…”

Estimation of state financial support for non-priority territorial units using the example of bridge construction

“…This fact is recorded in the work [9], where attention is focused on the age of the bridges. The authors of study [10] acknowledge the problem and propose to take a set of measures to prevent rapid destruction. At the same time, it was noted in [11] that researchers in Brazil focus on solving "narrow problems".…”

Identification and analysis of pathological defect appearance in superstructures of reinforced-concrete bridges in Chapare region, Bolivia

“…However, bridges are prone to develop certain pathological defects due to different aspects: aggressive environment, chemical attacks, more than expected intense traffic, and low quality material, among others, which causes a fast deterioration of their structure. Accordingly, inspection and maintenance activities to preserve and extend useful life of these structures are required [2][3][4].…”

“…Among main pathological defects found during bridge inspection, iron corrosion, fissures, fungus, and efflorescence, among others [3,11]. Being corrosion the most common and costly issue for intervention and maintenance activities [12].…”