Simulation of a Defect in a Concrete Dam Structure Using Steady-State Infrared Thermography

Abstract

A roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam is a large civil engineering structure that is subject to a permanent load of water hydrostatic thrust, and the construction of such a structure requires enormous human, material and financial resources. It gives rise to a reserve of water upstream in billions of m3; therefore, a problem in its stability will generate a catastrophe at its end. Among the means of controlling the dam body is the detection of abnormalities by infrared thermography. In this communication, we will simulate a structure of a dam containing a defect, and the discontinuity of the concrete gives rise to a contrast in the thermo-gram of the downstream surface. Thus several parameters will be studied in this dam, namely the positioning of the defect with respect to the downstream surface, the thickness of this defect and finally the orientation. The thermal images of the downstream surface are recovered in order to interpret the contrast and to draw explanations of what is inside this dam.