Inspection of Virginia Bridge Decks with Overlays Using Time-lapse Thermography

About the project:

This research will develop a new method for rapid and effective inspection of reinforced concrete bridge decks with overlays. The method, based on time-lapse thermography, will better detect and characterize subsurface defects, such as delamination of the reinforcing steel or disbondment at the interface between the overlay and the concrete substrate.

Many factors that reduce reliability of traditional infrared thermography can be addressed by a different approach to acquiring infrared data.

The benefits to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be a better method for inspecting bridge decks with overlays. The data this new method will provide will support better decisions regarding maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and replacement of bridge decks. It also should result in considerable savings for VDOT, fewer surprises when repairs begin and better data for bridge management.

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