Title: Forensic evaluation of a large reinforced concrete specimen using radar and ultrasonic pulse echo

Authors: P. Srinivasan; K. Ravisankar; S. Thirugnanasambandam

Addresses: CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, Taramani, Chennai 600113, Tamil Nadu, India ' CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, Taramani, Chennai 600113, Tamil Nadu, India ' Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Non-destructive techniques play an important role in the condition assessment and evaluation of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete structures and also serve as a forensic tool in identifying various parameters such as thickness, presence of reinforcement, spacing, cover thickness, presence of other elements such as PVC pipes, steel embedment, honeycombs and voids. For exploring the effectiveness of the radar and pulse echo technique in identifying various parameters, a large-scale multi-storey reinforced concrete specimen is constructed with various features at CSIR-SERC, Chennai, with columns, beams and slabs of different sizes, cross-section having different percentages of reinforcement. The defects such as honeycombs, cracks, delamination, presence of conduits, ducts, etc. are also incorporated. This paper highlights the results from the application of these two techniques namely radar and ultrasonic pulse echo on the large-scale concrete specimen. Different features of the specimen were evaluated and the results are presented.

Keywords: reinforced concrete; radar; ultrasonic pulse echo; reinforcement; honeycombs; voids; forensic evaluation; nondestructive evaluation; NDE; cracks; delamination; conduits; ducts.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFE.2013.053562

International Journal of Forensic Engineering, 2013 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.198 - 208

Published online: 13 Sep 2014 *

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