INSPECTION OF CONCRETE BRIDGE DECKS WITH ASPHALT OVERLAYS -- A COMPARISON OF NONDESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION METHODS

摘要

An objective view of the relative advantages and limitations of the nondestructive testing and evaluation methods that are currently used in the inspection of bridge decks is presented and discussed. The three main nondestructive testing methods that were evaluated are infrared thermography, ground penetrating radar, and impact-echo. While, infrared thermography and ground penetrating radar are widely used as stand alone test methods for rapid delamination detection in concrete bridge decks, it is recommended that a combination of both, i.e., infrared thermography and ground penetrating radar be used for the most accurate evaluation of the structural integrity, i.e., delaminations, of concrete bridge decks with asphalt overlays. Impact-echo, although showing promise in determining areas of concrete in need of rehabilitation, needs further development of field inspection equipment to make it feasible for practical use. However, current results also indicate that impact-echo test methods show promising future developments towards the nondestructive evaluation of bridge superstructures, and that it may provide additional important information regarding material characterization, damage evaluation, and life prediction.