Detection of corrosion-induced damage in reinforced concrete using NDT technology
Concrete is a fundamental building material renowned for its versatility and strength in construction applications. While plain concrete (PC) excels in compressive strength, reinforced concrete (RC) incorporates steel reinforcement to enhance its tensile strength and durability, making it a pr...
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Format: | Final Year Project |
Language: | English |
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Nanyang Technological University
2024
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Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/177310 |
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Institution: | Nanyang Technological University |
Language: | English |
Summary: | Concrete is a fundamental building material renowned for its versatility and strength
in construction applications. While plain concrete (PC) excels in compressive
strength, reinforced concrete (RC) incorporates steel reinforcement to enhance its
tensile strength and durability, making it a preferred choice for structural applications
all around the world. Despite its advantages, RC structures are susceptible to
corrosion, especially in aggressive environments such as marine settings or areas
exposed to de-icing salts. Corrosion of the steel reinforcement within RC can lead to
structural deterioration, compromising safety and longevity. The financial
repercussions of corrosion-related damage to infrastructure, particularly highway
bridges, are substantial.
To mitigate these issues, early detection of corrosion in RC structures is crucial.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques offer a promising alternative, allowing for
the evaluation of corrosion without damaging the concrete. Ground-penetrating radar
has been proven effective in detecting severe corrosion damage. However, it remains
challenging to access early-stage corrosion using GPR due to limited sensitivity to
minor changes caused by corrosion and the influence of surrounding environment
factors. To address this problem, this report presents a corrosion monitoring method
using GPR. Corrosion-induced rust and cracks would alter the material properties
surrounding reinforcing bars, leading to changes in the amplitude of reflections from
the bars. Additionally, temperature variations also affect GPR signals due to changes
in dielectric permittivity of material. To minimize the impact of temperature on early
corrosion damage monitoring results, the Optimal Baseline Selection (OBS) method
is employed. Subsequently, by analyzing the changes in the amplitude of reflections
from reinforcing bars during the corrosion process, the development of corrosion can
be determined. As a comparison, ultrasonic coda wave test was also conducted to
monitor the corrosion conditions of the specimen. The results of each testing method
were compared and cross-reference and was to agree with each other. |
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