Objective
The European construction industry is confronted with a major problem concerning the safety of large and massive concrete structures: the unexpected deterioration, due to corrosion, of the steel stressing-tendons used in concrete structures (pre-stressed concrete structures), causing these structures to break or reducing their load carrying capacity. Present non-destructive analysis methods (NDA-methods) to measure defects, damage and degradation (anomaly) of pre-stressed concrete structures due to corrosion have been researched without much success. However with knowledge gained in a successful feasibility project executed by NEBEST B.V. in the Netherlands, a new NDA method to locate and measure corrosion of pre-stressed concrete structures has betn tested: Reflectometric Impulse Measurement Technique (RIMT). The principle of RIMT is as follows. Series of high frequency-low voltage electrical pulses are sent through a steel-stressing tendon in pre-stressed concrete structures at one end of the tendon (anchor). The reflection signals are stored and analysed in a recently developed, complex mathematical model. The impedance variations of the standard characteristics are used to calculate the location of the anomaly. Physical and di-electrical anatomies cause different types of impedance variations, which can be recognised in the reflection signals. Therefore it is also possible to reveal the type of anomaly. The objective of this research project is to execute RTD into new electrotechnical measurement equipment (RlMT-Svstem) for the application of the RIMT technology as a NDA-method to locate and measure corrosion of pre-stressed concrete structures. The new RlMT-System will consist of sensors, hardware and software. With the RlMT-System it will be possible to determine defects, damage and degradation of existing pre-stressed concrete structures in a non-destructive way.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftware
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineanatomy and morphology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
EAW - Exploratory awardsCoordinator
4825 BP Brerda
Netherlands