Multimodal Nondestructive Testing Damage Quantification, Presentation, and Condition Rating of Bridge Decks

Abstract

Advanced nondestructive testing (NDT) methods have become an effective and reliable way to evaluate the condition of bridge decks. Tools such as ground-penetrating radar, impact echo, and half-cell potentials are more frequently used to identify deck deterioration and evaluate condition. Although NDT methods are becoming more popular, the way in which NDT data are presented to bridge owners and maintenance personnel depends on the practitioner. Research has been conducted to develop methods to improve and standardize the presentation of multimodal NDT results. The primary goal of the current research was to make multimodal NDT a more effective and objective tool for asset management by improving the presentation of NDT results. This effort included the development of proper damage quantities to help budget repairs and asset management decisions; the accurate representation of deck condition with contouring software, which if used incorrectly can provide misleading information; and the use of NDT condition assessments to rate bridge decks through federally mandated condition rating systems. These federally mandated rating systems had their bases primarily in visual and sounding inspections as opposed to advanced NDT methods. Through study of the rating systems and discussions with asset managers, a method was developed to apply these ratings with multimodal NDT results. Although this method of condition rating was preliminary, the overarching goal of this work was to drive the NDT industry to focus its results for better assistance to asset managers, as well as to drive governing bodies to adapt the current rating systems for better compatibility with up-to-date technologies.