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Detecting Areas of High Chloride Concentration in Bridge Decks

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

K. Lim
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Hampshire Durham, New Hampshire 03824
D. L. Gress
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Hampshire Durham, New Hampshire 03824
K. Maser
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138.
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Abstract

The presence of chloride ions in New England bridge decks has caused severe damage and has contributed greatly in reducing service life. The source of the chloride ions is mainly from deicing salts applied for snow and ice removal to enable safer driving during the winter. The chloride ion acts as an accelerator in the corrosion of reinforcing bars causing expansion and therefore deterioration of the bridge deck concrete.

At present the method of determining the percentage of chloride present in bridge decks is a very time consuming, expensive and destructive process. The need for a fast nondestructive procedure to determine the amount of chloride in a concrete bridge deck is apparent. This paper introduces a means of utilizing ground penetrating radar as a viable nondestructive means of detecting areas of high chloride concentration in concrete bridge decks. The technique is based on the attenuation of a radar signal emitted from a radar unit in the presence of chloride.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1989

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References

1. Ayyub, B.M and White, R. “Detection of Delamination and Cavities in Concrete”, SHARR, FHWA/MD-87/05, (1987) p. 1.Google Scholar
2. NCHRP Report NR57CL “Durability of Concrete Bridge Decks”, (1979) p. 11.Google Scholar
3. Maser, K.R. “Detection of Progressive Deterioration in Bridge Decks Using Ground Penetrating Radar”, Proceedings of an ASCE/EM Division Specialty Conference in Boston, MA. Oct. (1986).Google Scholar