TOWARDS AN OPTIMIZATION OF THE DIAGNOSIS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE WORKS - CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY OF THE SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF NON-DESTRUCTIVE MEASURES

Abstract

The work presented contributes for assessing spatial vari-ability of reinforced concrete structures using non-destruc-tive testing (NDT) techniques: ultrasonic, electricalresistivity, radar and rebound hammer. NDT measurementswere carried out on a testing site (in laboratory) and on anexisting structure. In the laboratory, a series of measure-ments was performed on five reinforced concrete slabs(2x2.45x0.2 m3). Within the framework of the ACDC-C2D2French project, NDT measurements were carried out onthe piers of a highway bridge (Marly bridge – 59). Theexperimental data was analyzed using statistical and geo-statistical tools. The variability was quantified at differentscales (repeatability, local, global) for both laboratory andon-site concretes. The spatial correlation of the NDT datawas also studied. The results show that the correlationlengths identified depend on the measured property and theconcrete of the structure inspected.