Non-Destructive Techniques for Bridge Inspection in United Arab Emirates

This paper presents an investigation of the combined defect detectability of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Infrared Thermography (IRT) in concrete bridges taking into considerations variations in concrete mix proportioning. This variation will exist due to the difference in mix ingredients, aggregate gradations, w/c ratio, and aggregate type. Therefore, four concrete mixes; high strength, normal strength, lightweight and self-consolidated concrete are used in the investigation. The goal is to evaluate the effect of concrete mix variation on the signals and images of the GPR and IRT techniques. Sixteen 1.2m x 1.2m x0.2m slabs with common bridge defects, cracks, voids, delaminations, honeycombing, and corrosion were prepared. Parameters included in the investigation are concrete type, defects type, size, and location. Furthermore, effects of the environmental conditions on the images, such as temperature changes, solar radiation at different times of the day, and will also be assessed. Results and findings will be discussed and presented.