Thesis
Metrological effectiveness of diagnostic techniques for post-tensioned concrete bridges
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2024
- Thesis identifier
- T17061
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201985430
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Prestressed concrete (PC) bridges, widespread in transportation networks globally, face escalating challenges due to ageing and deterioration. This thesis addresses the critical need for accurate assessment and monitoring methodologies to ensure the safety and reliability of these structures. Focusing on Post-Tensioned (PT) concrete bridges, particularly those built before the 1980s, this research investigates the effectiveness of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), and modelling techniques in evaluating their condition. Drawing from empirical data gathered from an extensive experimental campaign conducted on the Alveo Vecchio viaduct. This is a PT concrete viaduct, constructed in 1968 and decommissioned in 2005, representative of many bridges in the Italian highway network. After introducing the experimental campaign, the dissertation analyses the results of comprehensive load tests pushing a bridge span up to failure, thus providing valuable insights into the structural behaviour under service and extreme loading conditions and into the accuracy of analytical and FE models for describing this behaviour. Subsequently, the accuracy and reliability of one of the most diffused SHM system, Acoustic Emission (AE) monitoring, is evaluated. Finally, some NDT techniques, including Digital Radiography (DR), Ground Penetration Radar (GPR), and Reflectometric Impulse Measurement Test (RIMT), currently used for detecting structural anomalies and assessing the integrity of prestressing systems are assessed. Through a comprehensive evaluation of the empirical findings, this thesis offers critical insights into the state of PT bridges and the effectiveness of SHM and NDT techniques for assessing their conditions. The research outcomes are useful to bridge engineers and manage and provide a contribution towards better informed decision-making in bridge management and maintenance.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Zonta, Daniele
- Tubaldi, Enrico
- Quigley, John
- Resource Type
- DOI
关系
项目
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PDF of thesis T17061 | 2024-10-11 | 公开 | 下载 |