Concrete bridge deck condition assessment with automated multisensor techniques

Early and accurate detection, location and assessment of damage in reinforced concrete bridge decks may be beneficial in the scheduling and performance of maintenance and rehabilitation activities. This article presents the results of a multiple sensor study of the condition of the reinforced concrete deck of the Van Buren Road Bridge in Dumfries, VA. The tests compared the following five different methods: (1) visual inspection and photographic recording; (2) half-cell electrochemical potential; (3) impulse type multipoint scanning ground penetrating radar; (4) chain drag and (5) impact echo. The bridge was tested on two separate occasions. The results of the tests were that each instrument nominally performed and collected data as expected, but that the condition assessments did not necessarily agree. The data are registered, overlaid and compared. The potential for developing automated multisensor systems that fuse data for efficient and effective bridge deck measurements is discussed.

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