Detection of subsurface anomalies in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapped timber bridge components using infrared thermography

This thesis presents the results of an experimental study on the use of Infrared Thermography technique for detection of subsurface anomalies in fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapped timber bridge components. An extensive literature review on the application of various nondestructive evaluation techniques to composite structures has also been presented.;Simulated subsurface delaminations were constructed in the laboratory in timber piles wrapped with FRP composite fabric. The delaminations varied in size, thickness, and severity. These delaminations were placed between the 1/8&inches; thick FRP wrap and timber surface. The thermal images from the delaminated specimens were compared with thermal images from undamaged specimens to study the effect of subsurface anomalies. In addition, several field tests were conducted using the infrared imaging system on three timber railroad bridges located in Moorefield, West Virginia that were reinforced with FRP composite fabric. The field test data was used to detect debonds at the composite-timber interface and study the effect of environmental parameters on infrared images.;This study shows that the infrared thermography technique can be used to effectively to detect subsurface delaminations in timber components wrapped with FRP composite fabric. The study also shows the effect of different parameters (environmental conditions, heat source, etc.) on the clarity of infrared images.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2001

Author dc:creator

• Steele, William Edward, III

Contributors dc:contributor

• Udaya Halabe.

• Civil engineering
• Wood sciences

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1209

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2212