Technology combines NDT methods to inspect prestressed concrete for corrosion
Researchers with TWI, Ltd. (Cam-
bridge, United Kingdom), an indepen- dent research and technology organiza- tion, and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) (Athens, Greece) are developing a nondestructive testing (NDT) technology that will iden- tify corrosion and degradation of steel reinforcement bars (rebar) and pre- stressed steel tendons in concrete struc- tures such as bridges, aqueducts, and buildings. The project, known as CROSS-IT, will combine two proven NDT methods to pinpoint the location of steel rebar and prestressed tendons em- bedded in the concrete and then detect any corrosion damage that may have occurred to the steel. According to recent statistics reported
by TWI, within the last 20 years, 25% of all the bridges in the world were con- structed with steel reinforced concrete
The CROSS-IT project is developing a NDT technology that will detect corrosion of steel tendons embedded in prestressed concrete beams in bridges. Photo courtesy of TWI.
Continued on page 18
NACE International, Vol. 51, No. 11
November 2012 MATERIALS PERFORMANCE 17