POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF NDT METHODS FOR BRIDGE ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING

This paper describes the basic principles of radar, sonar and dynamic testing methods, and how such methods could potentially be used for the assessment and long-term condition monitoring of bridges. Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods can essentialy provide a qualitative picture of the interior of a structure or the surrounding materials. Such information could be used for identifying hidden or unrecorded structural features, which may indicate hidden sources of reserve strength. NDT methods can also be used for monitoring material deterioration or development of faults, either by directly identifying the faults, or by recording changes in the dynamic characteristics of the bridge. The appendix of this paper contains the details of a number of applications of these methods carried out by Edinburgh University. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 892007.