In-service performance of road concrete bridges – set up of case studies for novel pro-active maintenance methodology

Assessment of reinforcement corrosion and concrete damage on bridges using non-destructive testing

“…Namely, cost effective and time efficient NDT methods can be more easily implemented as a standard component of the main visual inspection in order to assure more reliable bridge condition assessment. Moreover, measured parameters can be used for calibration of numerical models and simulations of structure deterioration during its remaining service life [15,26,27]. Depending on construction time and quality, executed concrete cover thickness can differ a lot from the design value required by the current codes [60].…”

“…However, after nine years of maritime condition exposure, signs of chloride-induced corrosion were detected on the bridge during the first visual inspection in 2006 [40,41]. Damage caused by chloride-induced corrosion has propagated significantly in next few years [27,[42][43][44] and the bridge is repaired in 2018. Surface protection of structural elements involves corrosion inhibiting impregnation, structural repair mortar and protective coating, while at the most exposed and deteriorated elements high strength steel fibre reinforced concrete is applied and concrete cover depth is increased [27,44].…”

“…Damage caused by chloride-induced corrosion has propagated significantly in next few years [27,[42][43][44] and the bridge is repaired in 2018. Surface protection of structural elements involves corrosion inhibiting impregnation, structural repair mortar and protective coating, while at the most exposed and deteriorated elements high strength steel fibre reinforced concrete is applied and concrete cover depth is increased [27,44]. The upper part of the pier P2 foundation (mark: MB1), exposed to the airborne chlorides, was not included in repair in 2018; hence, it is used as a measuring location in the framework of this research (Figure 3).…”

“…Hence, use of non-destructive testing as a supplement to visual inspection is investigated on six case studies in the framework of this research in order to achieve higher objectivity in bridge structure evaluation and to detect corrosion vulnerability before visible damage and/or to more precisely evaluate structure condition. Moreover, to achieve proactive maintenance of bridges, it is necessary to predict future structure condition using numerical models for service life prediction, where the results of non-destructive testing can be used for calibration and verification of models [26,27].…”