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Inspection and Evaluation

Why We Need Structural Health Monitoring?

Why We Need Structural Health Monitoring? Owners and maintenance managers of capital-intensive assets are looking for cost-effective and reliable inspection and monitoring solutions to ensure safety and reliability of these structures. Modern design codes are now looking in a much longer service life. For example, The Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (S6-14, 2014) considers a service life of 75 years for newly constructed bridges. One good example in this case…Read More »Why We Need Structural Health Monitoring?

the future of bridge inspection

The Future of Bridge Inspection

The Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (S6-14, 2014) considers a service life of 75 years for newly constructed bridge. What does this mean in engineering terms? It means that the bridges of the future should have satisfactory performance, both durability and structural, during the proposed life-cycle. This can be quite challenging when we look closely; the environment and environmental loading (i.e. snow, freeze and thaw cycles, corrosion, earthquakes, etc.) can…Read More »The Future of Bridge Inspection

NDT Methods for Evaluation of Parking Garages

Non-destrcutive Testing- NDT Methods for Evaluation of Parking Garages can help improve the quality of routine inspection and maintenance. Parking garages require routine inspection and maintenance to ensure they remain safe and operational. Weather it is a public parking in extremely busy downtown areas, or a private condominium structure, proper maintenance is needed to keep them safe. The importance of parking garages is often ignored, simply because nobody lives in…Read More »NDT Methods for Evaluation of Parking Garages

Corrosion Monitoring of Reinforced Concrete Structures

A corroded structure (whether it is a bridge, or a jetty, or a simple ramp) could be scary for many people. Imagine yourself driving along the Gardner Express (Downtown Toronto), or the highway 40 (Montreal), and all of a sudden, a piece of concrete falls onto your car, breaking the windshield. Feels scary? Indeed! A corroded structure makes you feel so unsafe, even if it is in stable condition. This…Read More »Corrosion Monitoring of Reinforced Concrete Structures

Condition Survey for Bridge Decks

4 Methods of Condition Survey for Bridge Decks

Exposed Concrete Decks suffer from various deterioration mechanisms; i.e. freezing and thawing, corrosion. The most significant consequence is the delamination of concrete, which could eventually trigger other damage mechanism, such as corrosion. The maintenance of deck slabs is quite challenging mainly because it normally involves large areas; In many cases, closing the deck to traffic is extremely difficult, if not impossible. Existing (traditional) methods of condition survey for bridge decks…Read More »4 Methods of Condition Survey for Bridge Decks

Reuse of existing piles and deep foundations

Reuse of Existing Piles – How NDT Can Help

Safety, reliability and satisfactory performance of structures require a well-planned maintenance program, as well as remedial actions in short and mid-term. Existing structures that are designed in accordance with older design codes or were built by older construction practices may need to be extensively repaired, rehabilitated, or replaced within the next few years. The remedial actions may include structural and/or foundation upgrade or replacement. Reuse of existing piles and foundations is…Read More »Reuse of Existing Piles – How NDT Can Help

NDE of Concrete Dams

4 Methods for Nondestructive Evaluation of Concrete Dams

Appropriate operation and maintenance of concrete dam structures are essential to ensure the safety of the structure, and reducing risk. Concrete surfaces should be examined in a regular basis to identify spalling and deterioration due to weathering, or extreme stresses, or other physical, or chemical damage mechanism. Nondestructive Evaluation of Concrete Dams can provide useful information about the condition and quality of concrete materials, extent of damages, and mechanical properties of concrete. What…Read More »4 Methods for Nondestructive Evaluation of Concrete Dams

裂纹深度测量Concrete-Feature照片

3 Methods for Crack Depth Measurement in Concrete

Cracking is a common observation in concrete structures. Cracks can be a result of plastic shrinkage, or constructional movements. Moreover, cracks can happen as a result of overloading concrete elements, or creep. Chemical reactions such as alkali-aggregate reactions and corrosion can induce cracking. Material and Structural engineers are interested in the main reasons behind concrete cracks, and determine the extent and severity of existing cracks. Two parameters are often used…Read More »3 Methods for Crack Depth Measurement in Concrete

Half Cell Corrosion Potential Mapping

Half Cell Corrosion Mapping for Concrete

半电池腐蚀映射是一种有效的方法for assessing the severity of corrosion activity in concrete structures. It is the most well-known procedure to identify the likelihood of active corrosion; however, the test does not provide any information about the kinetics of corrosion activity. The easy and cost-effective procedure of the test makes it popular among engineers and structure inspectors. The method has been used for bridge deck inspection, parking…Read More »Half Cell Corrosion Mapping for Concrete

ultrasonic testing of concrete

Ultrasonic Testing of Concrete

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) is an effective non-destructive testing (NDT) method for quality control of concrete materials, and detecting damages in structural components. The UPV methods have traditionally been used for the quality control of materials, mostly homogeneous materials such as metals and welded connections. With the recent advancement in transducer technology, the test has been widely accepted in testing concrete materials. Ultrasonic testing of concrete is an effective way for…Read More »Ultrasonic Testing of Concrete