MATERIALS SELECTION & DESIGN FIGURE 1
The failures may originate from defective construction materials, where cracks can spread or grow, or be caused by the loads the structure is subjected to at any given time, which can lead to collapse. Some failures originate in the building process and are usually related to defective or limited quality control procedures, which lead to the lack of compliance with the [XMKQÅKItions of the work. Failures due to operation are normally associated with overloading.
Detailed Visual Inspection 8ZM^QW][ _WZS[ QV \PM ÅMTL WN KWZZW[QWV
assessment of concrete structures describe in detail the methodology used in the present study for evaluating and diagnos- ing each of the bridges considered.1-3 Visual inspection of the bridges started
with the completion of a data sheet on the structure's history and its surrounding MV^QZWVUMV\ QLMV\QÅKI\QWV WN IVa LIU- age to each element, and creation of a photo record of site visits. The visual in- [XMK\QWV XZWL]KM[ I ÅZ[\ IXXZIQ[IT WN \PM physical condition of the structure.4
Detection of Hidden Corrosion Defects by Sounding
The effects of corrosion may not be
seen at a glance, since the delamination happens internally and is not manifested on the exterior surface of the structure. When a delamination exists, the space between the solid and loose concrete produces a particular sound that allows QLMV\QÅKI\QWV WN \PM INNMK\ML IZMI