Project 1.04: Electromagnetic Detection and Identification of Concrete Cracking in Highway Bridges

January 1, 2019

Electromagnetic Detection and Identification of Concrete Cracking in Highway Bridges

Project 1.4

Project Information
Downloadable Documents

Project Summary

The problem we are trying to solve is the structural assessment of aging concrete bridges (reinforced and prestressed) in New England, targeting at concrete cracking and degradation (e.g., carbonation, alkali-silica reaction). The problem is important because that the integrity of concrete cover indicates not only mechanical strength of the cross section but also the level of protection for steel corrosion. Concrete cracking and steel corrosion can occur to any component in concrete bridges. We propose to 1) conduct field radar inspection (using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and impact-echo) for 2D and 3D radar imaging and to 2) develop a damage detection model for predicting the level of structural damage for concrete bridges.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Tzuyang Yu

Institution:

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Project Status

Active

Project Cost

$729,941

Start Date

01/01/2019

Project Type

Base-funded

End Date

12/31/2023

Agency ID

69A3551847101

Sponsors:

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, University Transportation Centers Program, Department of Transportation
UMass Lowell

Implementation of Research Outcomes:

We have developed a portable SAR imaging sensor capable of wirelessly
transmitting data from the sensor to an adjacent laptop computer. The
imaging capability and wireless data transmission have been validated in the
laboratory.

Impacts and Benefits of Implementation:

This project is in its initial research phase. Implementation of
Research outcomes will be reported upon completion of initial
research.