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Post-tensioning systems provide safe and efficient construction solutions for long span bridges. Despite the improved grouting practices over the past decade, existing post-tensioning systems may have significant amount of grout defects, which could lead to corrosion of the strands. Condition assessment of post-tensioning systems is necessary to allow bridge owners to take timely, proactive actions to mitigate or prevent further Deterioration and unanticipated tendon failures. A detailed experimental study conducted to assess the performance of nondestructive evaluation techniques in detecting grout defects within internal tendons is presented herein.
Nondestructive evaluation techniques that include Ground Penetrating Radar, Impact Echo, Ultrasonic Tomography, and Ultrasonic Echo are evaluated in terms of detecting the location and severity of fabricated grout defects in a full-scale post-tensioned U-girder mock-up specimen. While Ground Penetrating Radar can identify the location and profile of the internal tendons, particularly metal ducts due to strong reflections, this method did not provide any information about the defect conditions within the tendon. Both Impact Echo and Ultrasonic Echo techniques are effective in identifying the Location of grout defects, but could not differentiate between water, void, or compromised grout conditions. The study clearly demonstrates the need for NDE techniques that are applicable to anchorage regions, and that are capable of estimating the severity and nature of grout defects in internal tendons.
Tunnel lining evaluation is performed in the Hanging Lake Tunnel near Glenwood Springs, Colorado, using variations of four nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods: air- and ground-coupled ground penetrating radar (GPR), ultrasonic echo (US echo), ultrasonic tomography (UST), and impact echo (IE). Potential regions of interest are identified using high-speed air-coupled GPR and visual inspection. A robotic frame with pneumatically-operated vacuum plates was used to automate the ground-coupled GPR, US echo, and IE tests, while the UST technique was used manually. This study shows that a particular combination of NDE techniques is a powerful tool for assessing the condition of tunnel linings and can detect potential anomalies such as delamination, depth of surface cracks, reinforcement depth and layout, and lining thickness. By mapping the phase shift of the ultrasonic pulses at detected interface, the potential bonding of layer interfaces and reinforcement is assessed.
An in-depth investigation of tunnel linings is performed at Eisenhower Tunnel, 60 miles west of Denver, Colorado, using a combination of four nondestructive testing methods: air- and ground-coupled ground penetrating radar (GPR), ultrasonic echo (US echo), ultrasonic tomography (UST), and impact echo (IE). A robotic frame with pneumatically operated vacuum plates is used to automate GPR, US echo, and IE. UST was performed manually. These techniques are used to identify and locate the reinforcement mesh and structural steel ribs. Local changes in ultrasonic phase are calculated by phase analysis processing techniques and apparent relationships between positive and negative phase shifts and steel and air interfaces are observed. According to previous laboratory research, these relationships indicate the bonded state between the concrete and the embedded steel, but without ground truth verification this can only be suggested. It is shown that this combination of methods can be used synergistically to provide tunnel owners with the layout and possible condition of tunnel lining reinforcement and structural components.
Tunnel inspection is a challenging problem because of high-volume traffic and routine operations in naturally aggressive environments. The need to keep tunnels open during inspection and minimize tunnel closures and user delays must be carefully balanced with the need to conduct in-depth lining inspections to ensure the safety of drivers. This paper describes the laboratory validation and field performance of a recently developed in-depth nondestructive testing technology for the detection of impairments in tunnel lining: linear array shear wave tomography, typically referred to as ultrasonic tomography (UST). Before this equipment is used in the field, the system is first evaluated through the use of laboratory specimens with artificial defects that mock common structural problems, such as air- and water-filled voids, delaminations, and other potential abnormalities. The device is also used to determine concrete thickness and reinforcement depth and spacing. The test results are discussed to determine the device's capabilities and limitations in locating defects in concrete structures. After the system is evaluated on the basis of its ability to detect these simulated defects, the system is taken to the field to inspect a public tunnel for natural structural defects. Potential regions of interest are first identified through high-speed air-coupled ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and visual inspection and subsequently inspected with UST. This paper shows that the combination of preliminary inspection procedures (GPR surveys and visual inspection) and an in-depth technique like UST is powerful for the assessment of the condition of tunnel linings and can detect potential anomalies, such as delamination, reinforcement depth and layout, and lining thickness.