Description

NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING FOR BRIDGES

The present method of bridge inspection is mostly visual which enables subjective assessment of the condition of the bridge. Moreover, visual inspection system is not capable of assessing hidden defects, if any. For detailed and quantitative assessment of the health of the bridge, non destructive tests (NDT) should be used. A variety of non destructive methods are available which can be used for estimation of strength and other properties of bridge structures. These methods can be used individually or in combination to assess the various properties of structures.

The various NDT methods for assessing the condition of concrete bridges are given below.

1 Rebound hammer (Schmidt Hammer

2 Ultrasonic pulse velocity tester

3 Pull-off test

4 Penetration Resistance Test (Windsor Probe)

5 Rebar locators

6 Covermeter

7 Half-Cell Potential

8 Resistivity test

9 Test for carbonation of

11 Acoustic Emission technique

12 Endoscopy Technique:

13 Boroscope 

NDT tests for masonry bridges

The various NDT methods for assessing the condition of masonry bridges are given below.

1 Flat Jack testing

2 Impact Echo testing

3 Impulse Radar Electro magnetic

4 Infrared Thermography

NDT tests for steel bridges

1 Dye Penetrant Inspection or Liquid Penetrant Inspection(LPI)

2 Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI)

3 Eddy current testing

4 Radiographic testing

5 Ultrasonic test

SES performs all the above test and basis on the result of that report, we submit a detailed inspection report which covers present condition of structure and also remedial measures, if any for strengthening of structure