Non-destructive Structural Assessment Method using Imaging technology and Infrared Thermography

Traditionally, highway bridge conditions have been monitored by visual inspection with structural deficiencies being manually identified and classified by qualified engineers and inspectors.

However, the quality of inspection results obtained through the traditional inspection approach depends on the individual inspector‟s subjective judgment based on his/her knowledge and experience, as well as varying field conditions. In addition, these traditional inspection procedures require significant investments in both time and labor cost. Under these circumstances, innovative non-destructive bridge condition assessment technologies using infrared thermography and digital concrete surface imaging have been developed and applied to the highway bridge structures in Japan. This paper describes the results of integrated high-end infrared thermography (IR) and line cameras to obtain bridge deck cracks, defects and delamination with on-site applications for sample bridges in the state of Florida.