Application of digital infrared thermography for nondestructive evaluation of composite bridge components

The objective of this research is to evaluate the applicability of digital infrared thermographic system to detect subsurface defects such as debonds and delaminations in Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bridge decks and other composite bridge components such as beams and columns wrapped with steel or FRP jacket.;This thesis investigates the use of digital infrared thermography on FRP bridge decks both under laboratory and field conditions. Air-filled and water-filled debonds were inserted between the wearing surface and the underlying FRP deck. Also, simulated subsurface delaminations (of various sizes and thickness) were created at the flange-to-flange junction between two FRP deck modules.;The results show that infrared thermography is a useful tool for defect detection in composite decks. Therefore, the technique can be used for several applications such as quality control during pultrusion of new decks (in factories), during field construction, and field inspection of in-service decks. The technique was also successful in detecting subsurface defects in various other composite components considered in this study. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2004

Author dc:creator

• Vasudevan, Archana

Contributors dc:contributor

• Udaya B. Halabe.

• Civil engineering
• Mechanical engineering

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1470

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2473