"Integrated non-destructive techniques were utilized to assess the condition of a reinforced concrete bridge deck. There were two main objectives accomplished. The first objective was to assess the integrity of the reinforced concrete bridge deck using four non-destructive techniques, namely visual inspection, ground penetrating radar, portable seismic property analyzer-ultrasonic surface wave, and hammer sounding and chain drag. Visual inspection data were used to identify signs of deterioration on surface of the bridge deck such as cracking, concrete leaching, and reinforcement corrosion. Ground penetrating radar data were used to determine the relative condition of the bridge deck. However, due to the significant differences in depth of the embedded reinforcements, ground penetrating radar data were not useful in terms of assessing the overall condition of the bridge deck. Portable seismic property analyzer-ultrasonic surface wave data were used to determine the concrete quality of the bridge deck by estimating average Young's modulus (elastic modulus). Hammer sounding and chain drag data were used to identify non-delaminated and severe delaminated areas in the bridge deck. The second objective was to demonstrate the effect of temperature and moisture content changes on ground penetrating radar signal amplitude. Ground penetrating radar signal amplitude variations associated with different weather condition of temperature and moisture changes were evaluated. Ground penetrating radar signal amplitude was increasingly attenuated during low temperature and high moisture content. In contrast, ground penetrating radar signal amplitude was decreasingly attenuated during high temperature low moisture content"--Abstract, page iii.

Structural health monitoring (SHM) uses one or more in situ sensing systems placed in or around a structure, providing real-time evaluation of its performance and ultimately preventing structural failure. Although most commonly used in civil engineering, such as in roads, bridges, and dams, SHM is now finding applications in other engineering envir

The fourth Structural Materials Technology NDT Conference was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with over sixty speakers presenting on a wide variety of topics. The goal of this conference was to inform engineers and researchers of the new nondestructive testing/nondestructive evaluation (NDT/NDE) technologies and techniques available for use in transportation construction. The use of alternative materials is challenging NDT/NDE professionals to develop new methods or modify existing techniques to address quality control, quality assurance, and long-term monitoring of structures built or strengthened with these materials. One such alternative is fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) products. This conference included papers on this topic and a panel discussion that focused on the future of NDT/NDE technologies for structures built or rehabilitated with FRP composites. These proceedings contain the 62 papers that were presented at the conference, arranged according to session number. An author index is included.

Durability of concrete bridge decks to mechanical and environmental effects is examined for the purpose of evaluation of effects of blacktop resurfacing of bridge decks. Aggressive environmental actions on reinforced concrete are described, classified and equivalent environmental loads presented. To explain effects of aggressive environmental loads, concrete transport properties dependent on concrete structure, external effects, mechanisms in concrete, and chemical reactions of aggregates are discussed in detail. Mathematical formulation (model) for durability design of reinforced concrete structures is presented. The model allows estimation of various stages in corrosion progression in reinforced concrete structures: from initiation to propagation of reinforcement corrosion. The process can be effectively described using fuzzy sets. To enable evaluation of susceptibility of reinforced concrete to corrosion attacks, various electrochemical and nonelectrochemical methods are presented and discussed. Various types of overlays, that can be employed for bridge deck protection and/or repair, are discussed with respect to required properties. Special attention is given to application of corrosion inhibitors in both concrete and asphalt concrete, if used as a bridge deck overlay.

"Concrete infrastructure of United States is aging and deteriorating. Accurate assessment the condition of concrete infrastructure is critical for its maintenance and rehabilitation. Stress-wave based methods, including ultrasonic surface wave (USW) and impact echo (IE), are becoming popular for characterizing defects and mechanical properties of concrete infrastructures. In this dissertation, a comprehensive literature review of seismic wave theory and common types of defects identified in concrete infrastructures, as well as stress-wave based methods used for concrete infrastructure monitoring and characterizing on a selected concrete bridge deck and two concrete pavement segments are present. The utility and reliability of both methods were carefully evaluated and validated based on the comparison analysis with other destructive or non-destructive testing (NDT) methods carried out in the field or laboratory for the same bridge decks and pavement segments, such as the concrete hydro-demolition, drilling, static modulus of elasticity of concrete specimens in compression and ground penetrating radar (GPR). Detailed investigation of the sensitivity and limitation of stress-wave based methods for different types of defects identified in concrete bridge decks and pavements has been performed and presented. The outcome of this study is to expand the knowledge of stress-wave based methods, to better understand their strengths and limitations, to evaluate the reliability and utility of both the USW and IE test results in characterizing and monitoring defects and mechanical properties of concrete infrastructures. The result of this study is most beneficial for transportation agencies and researchers to use stress-wave based methods properly and effectively for further feasibility studies or monitoring of concrete infrastructures"--Abstract, page iv.