Date of Award
2024
Degree Name
Civil and Environmental Engineering
College
College of Engineering and Computer Sciences
Type of Degree
M.S.E.
Document Type
Thesis
First Advisor
Dr. Wael Zatar, P.E., Committee Chairperson
Second Advisor
Dr. Isaac W. Wait, P.E.
Third Advisor
Dr. Gregory K. Michaelson, P.E.
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Ghassan Abu-Lebdeh, P.E.
Abstract
The validity of non-destructive methods for evaluating transportation infrastructure conditions was explored in this study. The overarching objective is to assist in developing ideal protocols for bridge inspectors to determine the condition of reinforced concrete infrastructures and the remaining service life. A meticulous evaluation of a prestressed concrete beam decommissioned from a bridge listed in the West Virginia Division of Highways inventory was completed. The evaluation included determining the sizes, spacings, and location of reinforcement steel bars and prestressing tendons. The effort included generating a new computer code to automate the data post-processing, allowing for the automated identification of the location of reinforcement steel bars. The study was divided into four stages. A breakthrough ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology was used in the first stage to evaluate and determine the overall reinforcement layout in the prestressed concrete beam. A novel approach to determine rebar diameter of reinforced concrete structures is introduced. The second stage focused on analyzing the effect of GPR scan offsets in identifying internal flaws and calculating the reinforcement depth, spacing, and concrete cover. The feasibility of automating the evaluation process by generating and employing a novel computer code was examined. Lastly, specific reinforced concrete slab areas were selected and the latest ultrasonic testing technology was employed to determine the rebar depth and diameter using a novel approach. This project assists in redefining concrete bridge evaluation procedures by providing precise information for reinforcement steel bars and prestressing tendons sizes, spacing, concrete cover, and other internal findings. The study outcomes shall assist state and federal agencies manage their transportation assets by allocating financial resources for bridge maintenance and rehabilitation.
Subject(s)
Ground penetrating radar.
Ultrasonic testing.
Transportation.
Civil engineering.
Bridges -- Inspection.
Infrastructure (Economics)
West Virginia.
Recommended Citation
Mota Ruiz, Felipe, "Assessment of prestressed concrete beams: advancing non-destructive testing methods for enhanced bridge evaluation" (2024). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 1888.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/1888
