Infrared thermography applications for the quality control of concrete elements strengthened with FRP

Author(s): G. Concu, B. De Nicolo, C. Piga, N. Trulli
Paper category: Conference
Book title: Concrete Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting III (ICCRRR)
Editor(s): M.G. Alexander, H.-D. Beushausen, F. Dehn, P. Moyo
Print ISBN: 978-0-415-89952-9
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Pages: 278- 279
Total Pages: 2
Language: English

Abstract: 
In recent decades there has been widespread use of FRP materials in the rehabilitation of damaged structures and in the upgrading of their seismic behavior.
The technology most widely used is the application of laminates and sheets of carbon fiber through the use of epoxy resins. Despite the undeniable advantages of this intervention, such as excellent strength and stiffness, high strength to weight and stiffness to weight ratios, good durability and high resistance to corrosion, there are nevertheless some limitations related to the quality of the adhesion between the FRP and the concrete substrate. In this light, non destructive testing techniques seem very promising for the quality control of FRP setting.
The present paper reports the preliminary results of an experimental campaign focused on the use of the Infrared Thermography for non destructively evaluating sound and damaged concrete specimens strengthened with different kinds of FRP. The research aims at verifying Infrared Thermography reliability in detecting and sizing adhesion anomalies and defects. For this purpose, several small concrete beams have been realized, and some artificial defects of various sizes and depth have been deliberately settled in the interface between the reinforcement and the concrete substrate. The beams have been investigated before and after FRP straightening, in order to assess the feasibility of Infrared Thermography in detecting different kinds of adhesion deficiencies.

Online publication: 2014
Publication Type: abstract_only
Public price (Euros): 0.00