Bridge Deck Assessment Research Articles

Multi-resource fusion of nondestructive evaluation data for bridge deck assessment using discrete wavelet transform and Dempster-Shafer theory

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods are widely used to detect defects in bridge decks. These methods evaluate the bridge deck condition from different aspects. Data fusion is a viable approach to efficiently process and combine such heterogeneous NDE data for making more informed decisions. In order to fuse multi-resource NDE data, it is crucial to avoid the counter-intuitive results due to potential conflict between the measurements. In this study, discrete wavelet transforms (DWT) and improved Dempster-Shafer (D-S) evidence combination theory are proposed to develop a multi-resource NDE data fusion framework. A series of NDE data periodically collected through a full-scale bridge accelerated testing program are used to create the proposed framework. The deployed NDE methods include half-cell potential, ground penetrating radar, electrical resistance, and ultrasonic waves. The results from the data fusion analysis are compared with those derived using individual NDE, visual inspection, and advanced vision-based methods. By leveraging the access to the unique data sets collected from the Bridge Evaluation and Accelerated Structural Testing (BEAST) facility, the feasibility of the proposed method has been evaluated for the entire bridge lifetime under a controlled environment. The efficacy of the fused NDE data in detecting various bridge defects is further discussed via correlating the information captured during the accelerated bridge testing with a representative bridge in the state of Pennsylvania.

Development of Features for Early Detection of Defects and Assessment of Bridge Decks

Development of Features for Early Detection of Defects and Assessment of Bridge Decks

Deep learning models for analysis of non‐destructive evaluation data to evaluate reinforced concrete bridge decks: A survey

AbstractApplication of deep learning (DL) for automatic condition assessment of bridge decks has been on the raise in the last few years. From the published literature, it is evident that lot of research efforts has been done in identifying the surface defects such as cracks, potholes, spalling and so forth using supervised learning methods such as deep learning. However, the health of a reinforced concrete bridge deck is jeopardized substantially due to presence of subsurface defects. Subsurface defects in bridge decks are genearlly detected using non‐destructive evaluation (NDE) methods. Interpertation of NDE data for autonomous deck evaluation requires development of DL models; however, The task of defect detection DL has not received the proper attention for subsurface defect detection in the past. The goal of this paper is to provide a review of existing DL models for analysis of NDE data of bridge decks. The authors reviewed prominent NDE techniques for subsurface defect detection of bridge decks and explored the various DL models proposed to identify these defects. First a brief overview of the working principle of NDE techniques and DL architectures is provided, and then the information about proposed DL models and their efficacy is highlighted. Based on the existing knowledge gaps, various challenges and future prospects associated with application of DL in bridge subsurface inspection are discussed.

Bridge deck assessment using infrastructure corrosion assessment magnetic method (iCAMM™) technology, a case study of a culvert in Markham city, Ontario, Canada

Steel reinforcement corrosion can result in disastrous bridge failures over time. To manage the human and financial risks associated with such unexpected functional bridge failures, the reinforcements' condition should be quantified using Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods. In this case history, the condition of culvert C072's reinforced concrete (RC) bridge structure (located in the north of Markham, Ontario, Canada) is inspected. The inspection, carried out under the supervision of the Corporation of the City of Markham, used a passive magnetic-based NDT technology, the Infrastructure Corrosion Assessment Magnetic Method (iCAMM™). The inspection outcomes demonstrate that the sections close to the south and north ends of the bridge display the most-severe reinforcement anomalies: roughly, a maximum of 20% and 14% of the reinforcement's cross-sectional area loss are detected close to the bridging structure's south and north ends. Additionally, an area in the middle of the bridge is found to have a noticeable anomaly in the reinforcement. The results generated from the magnetic data, collected using an iCAMM™ scanner, are in good agreement with visual-investigation results and the culvert's historical information, such as the concrete's chloride content and compressive strength values, as well as information from a half-cell potential survey. Culvert C072's condition is considered moderately deteriorated and corrective actions are recommended.

Condition Assessment of Bridge Decks through Ground-Penetrating Radar in Bridge Management Systems

AbstractHighway agencies around the world are looking into adopting cost-effective and accurate methods for assessing the condition of their infrastructure network. In such an effort, agencies expl...

Assessment of the overall condition of bridge decks using the Jensen-Shannon divergence of NDE data

This paper presents the successful application of the Jensen-Shannon divergence (JSD) for the overall condition assessment of bridge deck structures using nondestructive evaluation (NDE) data. Periodic (time-lapsed) results from electrical resistivity, half-cell potential, ground penetrating radar, ultrasonic surface wave, and impact-echo measurements on the Haymarket Bridge deck (located in Virginia, U.S.) are represented in the form of probability distributions, and the deviation from original distributions is calculated using the square root of the Jensen-Shannon divergence (JSD). The effects of bin size on the probability distribution, and of instruments varying in resolution on JSD are discussed. Finally, by assuming ideal probability distributions representing an intact condition of the bridge deck, an NDE index for condition assessment of bridge decks is suggested and deterioration curves are developed. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of JSD to evaluate relative changes in the bridge deck condition.

Comparison of Two Nondestructive Evaluation Technologies for the Condition Assessment of Bridge Decks

Selection of the appropriate condition assessment tool to meet the decision-making needs for preservation, maintenance, and repair (PM&R) actions can be difficult, because different nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technologies have different performance characteristics. The objective of the research was to compare the reliability of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and infrared thermography (IRT) for the detection of delamination in concrete bridge decks. Field tests were conducted on two in-service concrete decks constructed in the same era and having significant deterioration due to corrosion damage. Reliability of the technologies was evaluated using receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis, a methodology that allows for a quantitative point-by-point comparison of results from NDE technologies with ground truth. The analysis results quantified the reliability of IRT and GPR for the two candidate concrete decks. It was found that IRT exhibited a higher reliability measure as compared with GPR for these two bridge decks. The implication of the test results for implementation of these technologies is discussed. The results of the analysis provide useful data for bridge owners making decisions regarding suitable NDE technologies for the condition assessment of bridge decks.

On the Use of Ground Penetrating Radar for Bridge Deck Assessment

Many transportation agencies require the condition assessment of concrete bridge decks as part of scheduled maintenance programs. Traditional bridge deck inspection methods include: hammer sounding and chain drag techniques. The interpretation of such techniques' results depends on the operator and may produce highly variable results. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has been extensively used and become an invaluable technique due to its high level of accuracy, being Non-destructive testing (NDT), low cost and simple operation. GPR technique is used for detecting the steel rebars embedded in the concrete, determining the concrete slab thickness, the asphalt layer thickness as well as developing a corrosion map for the steel rebars. This study presents the recap of using GPR technique in inspection of a bridge deck located in El- Kobba suburban in Cairo. A clear methodology for the data collection, processing and analysis of collected raw data is presented. Data is first processed, then Numerical amplitude method is used in the analysis. The study also clearly shows how to determine: 1) the slab thickness, 2) asphalt layer thickness, and 3) the arrangement of steel rebar of the slab. Thus, GPR technique can be used to make structural assessment and obtain the structural information without destruction to the element as well as structural checks and analysis can be performed for the bridge decks.

An attempt to describe a relationship between concrete deterioration quantities and bridge deck condition assessment techniques

This paper presents a study of the performance of four techniques – visual inspection, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Ultrasonic Surface Wave (USW), and core control – that were used to assess condition of a concrete bridge deck. The bridge deck was then rehabilitated using hydrodemolition, and the concrete removed during hydrodemolition was assumed to be deteriorated. LiDAR measurements of concrete depth removal collected after hydrodemolition were used as ground truth. Comparisons of bridge deck condition assessment data and LiDAR concrete removal measurements were performed in this study. The comparisons attempt to find and describe a possible relationship between bridge deck assessment techniques and quantities of concrete deterioration.

Concrete bridge deck assessment: Relationship between GPR data and concrete removal depth measurements collected after hydrodemolition

A ground-coupled ground penetrating radar (GPR) system was used to assess the condition of two reinforced concrete bridge decks. After each GPR assessment was completed, the bridge deck was rehabilitated using a hydrodemolition process to remove deteriorated concrete from upper surface of the deck. LiDAR technology was used to create maps depicting the deck surface before and after the concrete removal. The objective of this work was to corroborate the GPR condition assessments by comparing the spatial distribution of the GPR and LiDAR mappings. This work illustrates that GPR data have the potential to predict concrete repair estimates.

Delamination and concrete quality assessment of concrete bridge decks using a fully autonomous RABIT platform

One of the main causes of a limited use of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technologies in bridge deck assessment is the speed of data collection and analysis. The paper describes development and implementation of the RABIT (Robotics Assisted Bridge Inspection Tool) for data collection using multiple NDE technologies. The system is designed to characterize three most common deterioration types in concrete bridge decks: rebar corrosion, delamination, and concrete degradation. It implements four NDE technologies: electrical resistivity (ER), impact echo (IE), ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and ultrasonic surface waves (USW) method. The technologies are used in a complementary way to enhance the interpretation. In addition, the system utilizes advanced vision to complement traditional visual inspection. Finally, the RABIT collects data at a significantly higher speed than it is done using traditional NDE equipment. The robotic system is complemented by an advanced data interpretation. The associated platform for the enhanced interpretation of condition assessment in concrete bridge decks utilizes data integration, fusion, and deterioration and defect visualization. This paper concentrates on the validation and field implementation of two NDE technologies. The first one is IE used in the delamination detection and characterization, while the second one is the USW method used in the assessment of concrete quality. The validation of performance of the two methods was conducted on a 9 m long and 3.6 m wide fabricated bridge structure with numerous artificial defects embedded in the deck

Data acquisition and processing parameters for concrete bridge deck condition assessment using ground-coupled ground penetrating radar: Some considerations

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a non-destructive geophysical technique that is widely used to determine the relative condition of reinforced concrete. This paper presents case studies from Missouri, USA, where a ground-coupled GPR system was used to assess the condition of eleven concrete bridge decks. The main goal of this paper is to develop appropriate acquisition and processing parameters in order to conduct rapid, efficient, and cost-effective assessment of bridge decks. To accomplish this goal, the GPR data sets were collected with slightly different acquisition parameters and processed using different parameters. The quality of the results and the time required for each bridge deck survey are analyzed. Additionally, several experimental data sets were collected across a 12th concrete bridge deck to examine the influence of weather conditions on reflection amplitude values, since amplitude analysis is used in this study. Based on the authors' experience and findings, appropriate GPR acquisition and processing parameters are suggested and described for use of the ground-coupled GPR method for bridge deck assessment.

Rapid Bridge Deck Condition Assessment Using Three-Dimensional Visualization of Impact Echo Data

Ultrasonic seismic methods can be used in the condition assessment of bridge decks by evaluating changes in material characteristics and detecting the development of defects and zones of deterioration. The impact-echo method is of special benefit in the evaluation of corrosion-induced deck delamination because of its nondestructive nature and ability to detect delaminated zones at various stages of deterioration: from initial to progressed and developed. The traditional approach in the condition assessment of bridge decks by impact-echo is based on a review of individual test-point records. A new approach based on three-dimensional data visualization is proposed. The developed three-dimensional visualization platform allows for both the advanced presentation and an automated interpretation of impact-echo data. The data presentation is provided in terms of three-dimensional translucent visualizations of reflectors in a bridge deck section and horizontal and vertical cross sections through all distinctive zones, including a zone of delamination. The associated interpretation platform enables the overall assessment of the condition of the deck, through cumulative distributions of reflection intensity of different reflective layers, and the identification of deteriorated zones of the deck to be repaired or rehabilitated in an efficient and intuitive way.

Stiffness assessment of bridge decks repaired by steel plates using an advanced system identification method

This work examines the identification of stiffness reduction in damaged reinforced concrete bridges under moving loads, and carries out the stiffness assessment after repairing using steel plates. In particular, the change of stiffness in each element before and after repairing, based on an advanced system identification (SI) method, is described and discussed by using a modified bivariate Gaussian distribution function. The proposed method in the study is more feasible than the conventional element-based method from computation efficiency point of view. The validity of the technique is numerically verified using a set of dynamic data obtained from a simulation of the actual bridge modeled with a three-dimensional solid element. The numerical examples show that the proposed technique is a feasible and practical method which can inspect the complex distribution of deteriorated stiffness although there is a difference between actual bridge and numerical model as well as uncertain noise occurred in the measured data.

Impact Echo Data from Bridge Deck Testing

Accurate assessment of the condition of bridges leads to their economic management. Ultrasonic seismic methods can be successfully used for this purpose through evaluation of changes in material characteristics and detection of the development of defects and zones of deterioration. The impact echo (IE) method is of special benefit in evaluation of corrosion-induced deck delamination, due to the method's nondestructive nature, speed of evaluation, and ability to detect delaminated zones at various stages of deterioration: from initial to progressed and developed. The traditional approach in condition assessment of bridge decks by IE on the basis of review of individual test point records and a new automated approach based on three-dimensional (3-D) data visualization are presented. The developed 3-D visualization platform allows both the advanced presentation and interpretation of IE data. The data presentation is provided as 3-D translucent visualizations of reflectors in a bridge deck section and horizontal and vertical cross sections through all distinctive zones, including a zone of delamination. The associated interpretation platform allows both (a) the overall assessment of the condition of the deck, through cumulative distributions and histograms of reflection intensity, and (b) identification of deteriorated zones of the deck for repair or rehabilitation in an efficient and intuitive way. The visualization platform effectively enables an IE device to be used as a type of bridge deck sonar device.

A comparison of nondestructive evaluation methods for bridge deck assessment

Concrete bridge deck deterioration is a significant problem that must be addressed to preserve highway infrastructure investments in bridges around the world. Reducing the cost of bridge deck maintenance is critical to government and private agencies responsible for maintenance of bridges. Maintenance challenges increase as many bridges begin to approach the end of their design life and traffic loads continue to increase. One means of reducing the cost of bridge deck maintenance is to accurately evaluate the condition of the structure and its constituent materials. Current methods used to evaluate deterioration of bridge decks include acoustic, electrochemical, electromagnetic, and visual inspection techniques. The purpose of this study was to assess the advantages and limitations of three available evaluation methods. The evaluation techniques included in this study were ground penetrating radar, the chain drag method, and IE. These techniques represent an important group of inspection methods currently used to evaluate in-service bridge decks. The bridge deck used in the study contains significant delaminations but exhibits virtually no outwardly visible signs of these deficiencies, so a detailed visual inspection survey of the deck was not included. Cores were taken from the bridge deck at selected locations to confirm the accuracy of the results obtained through each evaluation method. This paper presents the findings from each method and describes their respective advantages and limitations.

Reliability analysis for highway bridge deck assessment

An assessment procedure based on structural system reliability principles, has been developed for highway bridges with concrete or composite decks. It concentrates on the ultimate flexural limit state of slabs and takes account of the fact that the failure of the structure is dependent on the combination of the applied loads, their variability, both spatial and in amplitude, and on the variability of geometric and material properties. Recognising that each of a number of topologically distinct collapse mechanisms may contribute to the overall probability of system failure, an optimisation technique is used in conjunction with structural reliability analysis in order to establish for each mechanism the critical geometry and the associated probability of occurrence. The procedure can be implemented in the assessment of existing bridge structures, where the use of plastic analysis may reveal strength reserves not utilised in design and, hence, alleviate the need for strengthening. By modelling the bridge as a virtual series system and analysing a finite number of collapse mechanisms, bounds on system failure probability in flexure can be estimated. An example of its intended use is presented for a solid slab concrete bridge deck.

Principles of thermography and radar for bridge deck assessment : Maser, K.R.; Roddis, W.M. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 116, No. 5, pp. 583–601 (Sep.–Oct. 1990)

Principles of thermography and radar for bridge deck assessment : Maser, K.R.; Roddis, W.M. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 116, No. 5, pp. 583–601 (Sep.–Oct. 1990)

Principles of Thermography and Radar for Bridge Deck Assessment

Traditional methods of bridge deck condition assessment are slow, labor‐intensive, intrusive to traffic, and unreliable. Two new technologies, radar and infrared thermography, which have recently been introduced, show promise for producing rapid and accurate condition assessment for bridge decks. These technologies are being applied without the benefit of a firm physical understanding of their inherent capabilities and limitations. This paper discusses the physical principles upon which these techniques are based, and proposes simple physical models for the prediction of radar and infrared response to various bridge deck conditions. Parameter studies are carried out using these models to predict the radar and infrared response to moisture, chloride, delamination, and deck geometry. The model study results show the range of sensitivity and the inherent limitations of these two techniques. These results have led to the suggestion of a predictive technique that has been used in field studies of repaired and ...