Thermal (IR Thermography) in NonDestructive Testing

Technical Seminar Report

Subject: DAMAGE ASSESSMENT THROUGH NDT & EVALUATION

Submitted by

RANGREJ SOMNATH PRAKASH

(Reg. No. : 140954002)
II Semester M.Tech (Advanced Thermal Power & Energy
Systems)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

MANIPAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

(A Constituent Institution of Manipal University)

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MANIPAL-576104, Karnataka, INDIA

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1. INTRODUCTION
Infrared thermography is one of the non-destructive thermal methods which is becoming ever more
popular in nondestructive testing of materials and structures since it is completely noncontact and may be
faster than many other techniques that are being used. Thermal methods generally consist of the thermal
stimulation of the object (under examination) and monitoring of its surface temperature variation during the
transient heating or cooling phase. The analysis of heating and cooling processes during and after warming
up with an internal or external heat source is well established technique for the characterization of
composites and metallic materials.
In Civil Engineering, the application of infrared thermography is not limited to passive
investigations of the quality of thermal insulation of building envelopes. Defects like voids in concrete or
masonry, delaminations at interfaces of composites which have different density, heat capacity and/or heat
conductivity in comparison to the bulk material can be localized and characterized. Infrared thermography,
due to its non-contact character that allows for quick 2D surface mapping, represents a powerful tool for
non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of materials and structures. Notwithstanding this, Infrared thermography
is still not completely exploited.
In contrast to the conventional use where natural temperature gradients are utilized,
the NDT applications take an active approach. A heat pulse is applied and the surface
temperature is monitored and analyzed. Typically, the temperature distribution at the
surface at the time of maximum contrast is used for the detection of any defects. The
most important condition for infrared thermography to provide useful results is that a
temperature difference or thermal contrast T, exists between the feature of interest,
e.g. people on a scene or an internal flaw on a specimen; and its surroundings. A
second condition is to have the appropriate thermal imaging equipment to produce
thermal images or thermograms. It is necessary to count with an experienced
thermographer to interpret thermographic results.

2. CLASSIFICATIONS OF IR THERMOGRAPHY

Passive mode of Thermal NDT requires only using IR cameras.

Active mode of Thermal NDT involves additional thermal stimulation of objects under test. Several
types of heaters (coolers) are used in combination with IR cameras and computer stations and
Control units.
1. Pulsed thermography
2. Lock-in thermography

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2.1 PULSED THERMOGRAPHY

In pulsed thermography (PT) the specimen surface is submitted to a short heat pulse using a high
power source such as photographic flashes, see Figure1. The duration of the pulse may vary from a few
milliseconds (~2-15 ms) to several seconds depending on the thermo physical properties of both, the
specimen and the flaw. After the thermal front comes into contact with the specimens surface, it travels
from the surface through the specimen. As time elapses, defective zones will appear at higher or lower
temperature with respect to non defective zones on the surface, depending on the thermal properties of both
the material and the defect. The temperature evolution on the surface is then monitored in transitory regime
using an infrared camera. A synchronization unit is needed to control the time between the launch of the
thermal pulse and the recording with the infrared camera.
The one-dimensional solution of the Fourier equation for a Dirac delta function in a semi infinite
isotropic solid is given by:

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2.2 LOCK-IN THERMOGRAPHY

In lock-in thermography (LT), the specimens surface is periodically illuminated
by one or several modulated heating sources, e.g. halogen lamps, to inject thermal
waves into the specimen. The periodic wave propagates by radiation through the air
until it reaches the specimen surface where heat is produced and propagates through
the material. Internal defects, acting as barriers for heat propagation, produce
changes in amplitude and phase delay of the response signal at the surface. Figure 2
depicts an LT experiment. The lamps send periodic waves (e.g. sinusoids) at a given
modulation frequency , for at least one cycle, ideally until a steady state is
achieved. Different techniques have been developed to extract the amplitude and
phase information. Fourier analysis is the preferred processing technique since it
provides single images, ampligrams or phasegrams (the weighted average of all the
images in a sequence).
The Fouriers law one-dimensional solution for a periodic thermal wave
propagating through a semi-infinite homogeneous material may be expressed as:

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3. LITERATURE REVIEW
Title: The Role of Infrared Thermography in Nondestructive testing of Civil Engineering Structures
Author: Bojan, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University Of Zagreb
To investigate the detectability of voids in concrete, two concrete test specimens were built as demonstrated
in Figure 1, having a size of 1.8 x 2.0 x 0.25 m. Before concreting, voids, simulated by polystyrene cuboids
with different sizes were positioned by polyamide threads in the wooden formwork.
a), b), c) Figure 1 Concrete test specimen including polystyrene cuboids with different sizes at different
depths, a) photo before concreting, b) and c) schemes of the specimens
Thermal imaging was performed according to ASTM in the summer period, between the 18.00 and 22.00
hours with the periodic imaging every hour. During the day both specimens were exposed to direct
insolation while the shades moved over the specimens when the sun was setting. The day was sunny, and
there was no rain for at least a week before the thermal imaging.

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4. RESULTS

By using active infrared thermography and appropriate post processing

techniques, detection of near-surface inhomogeneities and common subsurface
defects in typical structural elements is possible. The quantitative determination of
their geometrical parameters and defect depth is the main objective for the practical
problems like:
locating and quantifying voids and honeycombing in concrete
locating delaminations of plaster at concrete and masonry
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 locating delaminations and voids behind tiles on concrete embedded in mortar

Assessment of bonding of carbon fiber reinforced laminates glued on concrete
identifying poorly grouted ducts.

5. OTHER APPLICATIONS
Aerospace
Process Industry
Medicine
Condition Monitoring
Electronic Inspection

6. CHALLENGES

7.

CO

NC

LU

SION

Many common electrical & Mechanical problems begin as an increase in temperature, a thermal
image lets you easily detect them without interrupting operations.

We can improve equipment maintenance, reliability and safety.

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Ultimately can save money.

8. REFERENCES

[1] Nondestructive Handbook, Infrared and Thermal Testing, Volume 3, X. Maldague technical ed.,
P. O. Moore ed., 3rd edition, Columbus, Ohio, ASNT Press, 2001, 718 p.

[2] Maldague, X.: Theory and practice of infrared technology for non-destructive testing, John
Wiley and Sons, New York, 2001.

[3] Wiggenhauser, H.: Active IR-applications in civil engineering, Infrared Physics & Technology
43, pp. 233238, 2002.

[4] Stimolo M.: Praktische Anwendung der Thermografie im Straenbau und fur
Abdichtungssysteme, DGZfP - Berichtsband 77, Thermografie-Kolloquium, Stuttgart, 2001 [in
German].

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