Abstract
Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-destructive technique capable of detection and localisation of hidden subsurface defects in components of transportation infrastructure, such as concrete bridges, thereby contributing to structural health monitoring (SHM). Addressing the lack of research on subsurface defect detection in concretes by convection heat exchange, and regarding the importance of laboratory studies for proper implementation of IRT, this paper presents results from recent laboratory investigations of IRT on concrete slabs with simulated hidden defects using a convective thermal excitation mechanism. The concrete slabs in this study had simulated defects ranging 5–25 mm in depth from the surface. These studies show the effect of initial temperature, heating/cooling process, temperature range and defect depth on thermal contrast in the concrete slabs. Furthermore, this paper compares the performance of the IRT as a non-contact sensor and thermocouples attached to the surface, in the evaluation of the thermal contrast on slabs with various defect depth. The dependence of maximum thermal contrast on the initial temperature and defect depth is explored using multivariate linear regression.
Original language | English |
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Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring |
Early online date | 28 Jan 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Early online date - 28 Jan 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This paper delivers the outputs of EPSRC-funded research in the Civil Engineering Department at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) in association with a wider USA-Ireland Research project funded by DfE (NI), SFI (Ireland) and NSF (USA). The authors would like to thank Dr. Sreejith Nanukuttan (lecturer), Dr. Jacek Kwasny (Research Fellow), and Mr. Kenny McDonald, Mr. James Laing, Mr. Edward Moulds, and Mr. Desmond Hill (technical staffs in the heavy structural laboratory) in QUB for the support provided to this research.
Funding Information:
The funding for the PhD research was through Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) DTP and the research was part of a wider USA-Ireland funded project ‘Mobile Automated Rovers Fly-By (MARS-FLY) for Bridge Network Resiliency’.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
Keywords
- Concrete
- Convection heat exchange
- Infrared thermography
- Structural health monitoring
- Subsurface defect detection
- Thermal contrast
- Thermocouples
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
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Dive into the research topics of 'Experimental investigation of subsurface defect detection in concretes by infrared thermography and convection heat exchange'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Student theses
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Structural health monitoring of concrete bridges using infrared thermography
Pedram, M. (Author), Taylor, S. (Supervisor) & Hamill, G. (Supervisor), Jul 2024Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy
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