NDE of Reinforced Concrete Strengthened with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer
Composites using Infrared Thermography
InfraMation 2003, (2003)Abstract
The objective of this research is to investigate various heating and
infrared (IR) scanning methods to evaluate the bond between FRP composites
and concrete. Experiments were performed on small-scale specimens
using IR heating and halogen lamps. A special scanner cart was also
designed to facilitate rapid scanning of an FRP surface (approx.
3 ft2/ min).
Infrared inspections were also performed on four full-scale AASHTO
Type II girders that were loaded to failure in the Florida Department
of Transportation Structural Testing Facility. Vehicle impact damage
was simulated in these girders by cutting several of the girderВ’s
prestressing tendons. An FRP strengthening system was then applied
to each girder in order to restore its structural capacity. IR thermographic
scanning was performed at various stages of loading and after failure
in order to monitor the effect of loading on debonded areas.