Non-Destructive Testing Applications for Steel Bridges

Abstract

The growing population and increasing demand for surface transportation have highlighted the importance of maintaining safe and reliable civil infrastructures for daily use. Among all civil infrastructures, bridges are one of the most important elements in the transportation system. As such, to prevent any failures caused by aging and environmental impacts, bridges require periodic inspections. This becomes even more critical due to climate change and its effect on bridges, especially in the coastal regions. Most of the inspections conducted incorporate the visual type of evaluation due to its simplicity. However, with the current developments in new technologies, there is a need for more advanced techniques of structural health monitoring (SHM) methods to be incorporated in the maintenance programs for more accurate and efficient surveys. In this paper, non-destructive testing (NDT) methods applicable to steel bridges are reviewed, with a focus on methods applicable to local damage detection. Moreover, the methodology, advantages and disadvantages, and up-to-date research on NDT methods are presented. Furthermore, the application of novel NDT techniques using innovative sensors, drones, and robots for the rapid and efficient assessment of damages on small and large scales is emphasized. This study is deemed necessary as it compiles in one place the available information regarding NDT methods for in-service steel bridges. Access to such information is critical for researchers who intend to work on new or improved NDT techniques.

Risk-Based Selection of Inspection Method for External Post-Tensioning System of Bridges

“…Inspectors are taught to make meticulous records of the physical changes that occur as a structure ages [35]. Signs of structural deterioration are usually tracked over time to determine the risk of structural failure [36][37][38][39]. Visual inspection of external tendons is limited to nondestruc-…”

“…Inspectors are taught to make meticulous records of the physical changes that occur as a structure ages [35]. Signs of structural deterioration are usually tracked over time to determine the risk of structural failure [36][37][38][39]. Visual inspection of external tendons is limited to nondestructive inspection of HDPE ducts for cracking and deviator block assemblies and invasive inspection of the anchorage zones, which involves removing the end caps and inspecting the exposed strand ends, sockets, and locking plates for water, corrosion activity, or voids [40].…”

Numerical and Experimental Studies of the Use of Fiber-Reinforced Polymers in Long-Span Suspension Bridges

“…It should be noted that the issue of non-destructive testing and monitoring is not less important for bridges built from FRP, because these materials are still completely unexplored. From the review of another research it can be seen that there are methods that allow non-destructive testing of fiber-reinforced concrete [15], such as for a bridge from FRP in Poland [6], as well as noncontact vibration technique for health monitoring of structural cables of suspension bridges and cable-stayed bridges [16].…”

Beam-like damage detection methodology using wavelet damage ratio and additional roving mass

“…Besides, it can require long analysis time and high cost. In this way, they may be detected by acoustic emission, ultrasonic guided-waves, eddy current detection, liquid penetrant test, magnetic particle inspection, radiographic testing and vibration-based non-destructive techniques [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. System identification is an essential tool for such a purpose.…”