“NDE of Reinforced Concrete Strengthened with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites using Infrared Thermography”

The objective of this research is to investigate various heating and infrared (IR) scanning methods to evaluate the bond between FRP composites and concrete. Experiments were performed on small-scale specimens using IR heating and halogen lamps. A special scanner cart was also designed to facilitate rapid scanning of an FRP surface (approx. 3 ft2 / min). Infrared inspections were also performed on four full-scale AASHTO Type II girders that were loaded to failure in the Florida Department of Transportation Structural Testing Facility. Vehicle impact damage was simulated in these girders by cutting several of the girder’s prestressing tendons. An FRP strengthening system was then applied to each girder in order to restore its structural capacity. IR thermographic scanning was performed at various stages of loading and after failure in order to monitor the effect of loading on debonded areas