Evaluation of Prestressed Concrete Girders Using Magnetic Flux Leakage

A non-destructive evaluation system is developed based on the magnetic flux leakage concept to assess the condition of steel within prestressed concrete girders. Corrosion and/or fracture of prestressing steel could compromise the safe load carrying capability of prestressed concrete girders and could now be detected using the new system. The system can scan the length of a girder and is controlled through wireless communication that is integrated with a remote notebook computer. The system is capable of detecting approximately 5% loss of cross section in the prestressing steel and is easy to install on the girder within a few minutes.