Microstructure and nondestructive evaluation: what can we measure and what does it mean for the concrete life cycle

Author(s): E.N. Landis, J.E. Bolander
Paper category: Conference
Book title: 2nd International conference on Microstructural-related Durability of Cementitious Composites
Editor(s): Guang Ye, K. Van Breugel, Wei Sun, Changwen Miao
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-129-2
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-123-0
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Pages: 951 - 959
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: 
Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) plays a critical role in the service life of a wide array of materials and structures, with particularly advanced usage in aerospace and nuclear power industries. NDE of concrete has lagged behind other areas due to issues with both interrogation technologies and fundamental frameworks for which to relate measurements with service life predictions. In this work we seek to establish a framework by which current NDE techniques may be better applied to solve problems of service life in existing concrete structures. Specifically, we are employing computational models whose basis stems from measurable material microstructure. X-ray microtomographic imaging is used to establish features such as pore size distribution, aggregates, and cracking. We find simple empirical relationships between porosity or maximum defect size (for example) produce too much scatter to be useful. However, when the microstructural information is used to generate a 3D lattice model of the material, strength and fracture behaviour can be well represented.

Online publication: 2013
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00