BDI specializes in providing NDE investigation and subsequent bridge deck condition analysis and monitoring of components to owners such that they can better manage their assets. Particularly with reinforced concrete, BDI has implemented a multi-phase approach to inspection that provides the owner with data that can be utilized to determine the life cycle of the structure and appropriate times for maintenance, preservation, and repair or replacement. This multi-phase approach includes high speed ground penetrating radar (GPR) scanning, infrared thermography (IR), and high-resolution video (HRV), along with BDI’s deck acoustic response (SounDAR) system for mobile deck testing and electrochemical testing to determine corrosion probabilities.

BRIDGE DECK EVALUATION

WHAT WE DO

SAMPLE PROJECTS

OTHER SECTORS

WORK WITH US

DATA IS TYPICALLY ANALYZED TO REPORT THE FOLLOWING:

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CONCRETE DEGRADATION, PRECURSORS TO DELAMINATION, AND CONCRETE COVER OVER THE TOP REBAR

GPR identifies areas with potential rebar degradation, areas of chloride contamination, and areas with moisture. These areas are noted for their potential to have the precursors needed for concrete degradation and delamination. Often, these areas also correlate with areas that have existing delaminations.

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SHALLOW DELAMINATIONS

IR identifies areas of existing delaminations at the top rebar mat depth or above.

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SPALLING, PATCHING, AND SEVERE CRACKING

HRV identifies areas of existing cracking, spalling, and patching. Areas are quantified for improved data-driven decision making.

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DELAMINATIONS AND CONCRETE DEGRADATION

SounDAR identifies areas of existing delaminations and concrete degradation in accordance with ASTM 4580.

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ELECTROCHEMICAL – PROBABILITY OF CORROSION

Electrical resistivity (ER) and half-cell potential (HCP) NDE methods are used in combination with physical sampling such as cores and powder samples to determine existing chloride levels and probability of corrosion in structural concrete.

Each of the above bridge deck condition analysis and monitoring technologies complements each other by providing validation for the other while also providing information about different cycles of the degradation process of reinforced concrete. When applied specifically to bridge decks and other reinforced concrete elements, this multi-phase approach can be utilized to assist the owner in developing an asset management program to properly utilize funding for improved preservation activities.

BDI has performed this multi-phase bridge deck condition analysis and monitoring approach on over 12 million-square-feet of bridge deck in over 15 states as well as on USACE dams and other RC structures. The results provided to the owners are actionable, not just vast amounts of unusable data. Measurements from multiple technology sources are fused to identify probabilistic areas for repair and/or future focus. This methodology allows for a data-driven approach to asset management as degradation of key assets can be predicted and subsequently, a preservation plan can be put into action.

WHAT WE DO ON BRIDGE DECKS

Deck Acoustic Response (DAR) System

Identify delaminations and other defects in bridge decks and other concrete structures with automated acoustic testing. Refined models built on considerable validation data power the high-speed analytics behind the defect mappings that SounDAR produces, ensuring accurate repair estimates and fast turnaround in reporting.

Multiphase Approach to bridge deck NDE

Co-developed by BDI & Infrasense

Aerial imaging by UAV, high-speed vehicle-based NDE scanning, and traditional testing methods strategically combined to deliver quantitative information for improved asset management.