International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation

NDT for bridges durability assessment on urban-industrial environment in Brazil

Ian C.A. Esteves, Ronaldo A. Medeiros-Junior, Marcelo H.F. Medeiros,
Article information:
To cite this document:
Ian C.A. Esteves, Ronaldo A. Medeiros-Junior, Marcelo H.F. Medeiros, (2018) "NDT for bridges
durability assessment on urban-industrial environment in Brazil", International Journal of Building
Pathology and Adaptation, Vol. 36 Issue: 5, pp.500-515, https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-04-2018-0032
Permanent link to this document:
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-04-2018-0032
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

Downloaded on: 02 January 2019, At: 02:52 (PT)

References: this document contains references to 34 other documents.
To copy this document: permissions@emeraldinsight.com
The fulltext of this document has been downloaded 36 times since 2018*
Access to this document was granted through an Emerald subscription provided by emerald-
srm:573577 []
For Authors
If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald
for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission
guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information.
About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.com
Emerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company
manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as
well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and
services.
Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for
digital archive preservation.

*Related content and download information correct at time of download.


IJBPA
36,5
500
Received 16 April 2018
Revised 17 July 2018
Accepted 7 August 2018
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)
International Journal of Building
Pathology and Adaptation
Vol. 36 No. 5, 2018
pp. 500-515
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2398-4708
DOI 10.1108/IJBPA-04-2018-0032
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2398-4708.htm
NDT for bridges durability
assessment on urban-industrial
environment in Brazil
Ian C.A. Esteves
Universidade Federal do Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
Ronaldo A. Medeiros-Junior
Department of Civil Construction, Universidade Federal do Parana,
Curitiba, Brazil, and
Marcelo H.F. Medeiros
Universidade Federal do Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
Abstract
Purpose – The limitation of bridges’ operation can cause serious social, environmental and economic losses.
Therefore, the monitoring and maintenance actions of these structures must be efficient and periodic,
especially for bridges located in aggressive environments, such as urban-industrial centres, where the higher
volume of carbon dioxide emissions favours carbonation induced corrosion. The purpose of this paper is to
analyse the utility of including non-destructive testing (NDTs) to bridges assessment in that regions as a way
of obtaining more in-depth information on the conditions of the material composing the structure.
Design/methodology/approach – First, the main bridges’ damages were detected by visual inspection.
Then, based on the observations of bridges design, environment and main damages, an NDT programme was
executed including surface hardness, ultrasonic pulse velocity test, pH indicator spraying, half-cell potential
measurements and concrete resistivity tests.
Findings – It was observed that, for the studied cases, the carbonation did not present harmful depths,
except for the structural elements where segregation and wear of the concrete were noticed. NDTs, associated
with visual inspection, indicated the regions where corrective or preventive maintenance actions were
actually needed, bringing greater security to the decision maker in regions where repairs are unnecessary or
could be postponed.
Originality/value – This paper highlights the contribution of NDTs application in structures in urban-
industrial regions where the main mechanism of deterioration is carbonation-induced corrosion, demonstrating
the importance of these methods in the rational decision making of investments for maintenance.
Keywords Durability, Corrosion, Bridges, Field monitoring, Non-destructive tests
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Bridges are structures of high social, economic and environmental importance. Therefore,
their malfunction or destruction can cause great losses and impacts. Due to that, it is
essential to monitor these structures and to perform maintenance activities whenever
necessary, with a view not only to guarantee safe conditions of use, but also to extend
bridges service life.
Reinforcement steel corrosion of concrete bridge structures has been widely observed
among the mechanisms of deterioration, demanding high investments for the recovery of
affected structural elements. In a study of CC Technologies Laboratories in cooperation with
the United States Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), conducted between 1999 and
2001, it was noticed that approximately 15 per cent of bridges structures built with
reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete or metal presented corrosion damage, requiring
$8.3bn for maintenance, repair and replacement over the next ten years (Koch et al., 2002).
When reinforcement corrosion occurs, expansive products are generated. In more
advanced stages, such products are responsible for cracking and spalling the concrete next
to the reinforcement, which aggravates the corrosive process even more. At the same time,
 the reduction of reinforcement cross-section can limit the bearing capacity of structural NDT for
elements (Balestra et al., 2016; Li et al., 2014; Tapan and Aboutaha, 2011; Yuan et al., 2017; bridges
Mazer et al., 2018). durability
In recent years, the increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere and the
consequent rise in temperatures have made concrete carbonation one of the most critical assessment
threats to the durability of reinforced concrete structures (Bastidas-Arteaga et al., 2013;
Parameswaran et al., 2008; Park and Wang, 2017). According to Neville (2012), structures 501
present in an urban-industrial atmosphere are more susceptible to carbonation, since the
concentration of carbon dioxide in them, which can reach values of around 1 per cent, is
much higher than in rural environments, where concentration is approximately 0.03 per
cent. Peng and Stewart (2016) have demonstrated that the increasing concentration of
carbon dioxide in atmosphere can rise corrosion damage by up to 20 per cent in Chinese
bridges over the next 90 years.
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

CEB Bulletin 243 (CEB, 1998) points to periodic assessments as the most economical, easy
and effective way to ensure that a structure reaches its life cycle satisfactorily. Moreover, with a
well-defined methodology, it is possible to prognosticate the future conditions of durability and
performance, especially when dealing with structures affected by some deleterious mechanism.
The evaluations can be complemented using non-destructive testing (NDT) methods,
which allow detection of deterioration mechanisms and monitoring of their evolution
relatively quickly and cheaply, thus contributing to a diagnosis and prognosis for the
structure (Rehman et al., 2016; Sloane et al., 2012; Bem et al., 2018).
As stated in Rens et al. (2005), NDTs can be integrated to conventional bridge
management systems, generally based in visual assessments. By bringing in more detailed
information on specific visually noticed problems, NDTs may indicate weather maintenance
activities are necessary or not, preventing early deterioration of structures, or avoiding the
application of resources when there is no real need.
By presenting NDTs inclusion to the assessment of four bridges, this paper aims to
analyse their contribution to decision making in concrete bridges structures maintenance.
Since bridges are located in an urban-industrial environment, it is expected that NDTs bring
detailed information about carbonation stage and how propense concrete is to its advance,
besides about occurrence of carbonation-induced corrosion not yet visible. The NDTs
performed after visual inspection were: surface hardness, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV ),
carbonation depth (CD) determination, half-cell potential and concrete resistivity.

2. Studied cases
The structures studied in this paper are located in the metropolitan region of the municipality
of Curitiba, capital of Parana state, in south of Brazil (Figure 1). These are two pairs of bridges
of reinforced concrete in urban-industrial regions of great importance to the transport of
products and consumer goods. In this paper, such bridges are referred to as A1, A2, B1 and B2.

2.1 A1 and A2
A1 and A2 bridges are adjacent and similar. They were built in the mid-1960s. Both are
104.0 metres long and 11.30 metres wide. Next to these bridges is Getúlio Vargas Refinery,
which is responsible for about 12 per cent of the Brazilian oil derivatives production and has
been in operation since May 1977. There are also metallurgical and food industries in the
region that use the bridges to transport raw materials and products.
Each bridge has pile foundations, eight circular section columns, one box girder and two
longitudinally cantilevered slabs. According to the executive design, these bridges are
composed of concrete with characteristic (28 days) strength of 18 MPa and steel with
yielding strength of 500 MPa. Some dimensions of A1 and A2 as well as their elements can
be seen in Figure 2.
 IJBPA
36,5

Brazil
502
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

Figure 1. Paraná
Curitiba location Curitiba

11.3 m

2.2 m
5.35 m

28.5 m 33.0 m 28.5 m

Figure 2.
Sketches of
A1 and A2
104.0 m

2.2 B1 and B2
B1 and B2 bridges are also similar and adjacent. Both are 61.70 metres long and 12.55 metres
wide. In its proximity are food, chemical, automotive and construction materials industries.
As stated in the executive design, these bridges are also composed of concrete with
characteristic (28 days) strength of 18 MPa and steel with yielding strength of 500 MPa. Its
structure is composed of individual footings for foundation, six circular section columns, a
trapezoidal box-girder and two longitudinally cantilevered slabs. Figure 3 shows B1 and B2
structures with their dimensions.

12.55 m

2.1m
6.0 m

24.5 m 24.5 m

N
Figure 3.
Sketches of B1 and B2
61.0 m
 2.3 Climatic and environmental conditions NDT for
A1 and A2 are located at only seven kilometres from B1 and B2. Therefore, both are inserted bridges
in the same macro climatic conditions. durability
According to climatological data developed by the Agronomic Institute of Paraná
(Caviglione et al., 2000), the climate in Curitiba is temperate, with average temperatures assessment
below 18°C in winter, fresh summers and no well-marked dry season (Figure 4). In general,
the region has mild temperatures and large volumes precipitated throughout the year. 503
Relative air humidity in the region is high and generally varies between 75 and 85 per cent
throughout the year, according to the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET, 2016).

3. Methods
Initially, a visit to the bridges was done for a written and photographic record of structural
characteristics not presented in design, as well as anomalies and damages. At this stage the
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

anomalies and damages were classified, and their size in relation to the total dimension of
the elements was estimated. From this first visit, the necessary tests for a more detailed
assessment of structural conditions were decided.
By means of visual inspection, corrosion was observed in some of the columns
of the A1 and A2 bridges and segregation and wear on the columns of the bridges B1 and
B2. Considering that the structures are in an environment conducive to the occurrence of
carbonation, some questions, not only answered by visual inspection, are
raised: Is carbonation the cause of observed corrosion? Does carbonation reach harmful
depths on the bridge columns? Is there corrosion not visually manifested in other
columns? Does the concrete of the columns have high porosity and cracking to the point of
favouring carbonation? If corrosion has started, is the resistivity of the concrete
contributing to it?
Thus, the selected tests were: surface hardness and ultrasound for the observation of
concrete quality, pH indicator solution spraying to define the carbonation stage,
corrosion potential to detect occurrence of corrosion in the columns and resistivity
of the concrete to analyse the quality of the concrete and its tendency to favour the rate
of corrosion.
Chlorides-induced corrosion is not investigated for the cases described here because
the bridges are not in the coastal region and also because the use of de-icing salts is very
rare in Brazil.

30 200

175
25
Precipitation (mm)
Temperature (°C)

150
20
125

15 100

75
10
50
5
25

0 0
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Month Figure 4.
Precipitation Minimum temperature Maximum temperature Climatological Normal
from 1977 to 2016
Source: Adapted from Clima Tempo (2017)
 IJBPA 3.1 Surface hardness
36,5 Surface hardness test was performed according to NBR 7584 (ABNT, 2012) standard, using
a Sclerometer with impact energy of 2,207 J.
In order to standardise the test points on the four bridges, some criteria were taken into
account. First, access to the test site was considered, respecting the safety and comfort of the
test operator, thus ensuring that all impacts were carried out in the proper positioning.
504 Second, the chosen regions should represent the most unfavourable exposure conditions to
the concrete.
The tests were then performed on all the central columns and on at least two columns on
embankments of each bridge. In the columns, the measurements were made at
approximately 1.5 m from the ground. It was also defined that the measurements were
made on the column surface facing the exterior of the bridge, since such region is more
exposed to sunlight and weather variations, which may affect concrete quality.
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

The columns location where the surface hardness and other tests were performed in this
study are indicated on Figure 5. The letters S, R, U, P and C indicate the tests of surface
hardness, electrical resistivity of concrete, UPV, half-cell potential and CD, respectively.

3.2 Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV )

Determination of UPV in concrete was performed based on NBR 8802 standard (ABNT,
2013). In bridges B1 and B2 it was possible to obtain measurements with transducers
arranged for direct transmission. However, the same was not possible for A1 and A2, where
direct transmission measurements showed inconsistent results when repeated, possibly due
to the larger diameter of the columns and the condition of deficient access to the columns on
extremities. Therefore, in these bridges the transducers were arranged for semi-direct
transmission, forming an angle of 90° to each other.

(a) S, U, R, C, P S, U, R, P S, U, R

C1 C2 C3 C4
C5 C6 C7 C8

S, U, R S, U, R, C, P S, U, R, P
S, U, R, P S, U, R, C, P S, U, R

C1 C2 C3 C4
C5 C6 C7 C8
N
S, U, R S, U, R S, U, R, C, P

(b) S, U, R S, U, R, C, P

C1 C2 C3
C4 C5 C6

S, U, R, C, P S, U, R, C, P
S, U, R, C, P S, U, R S, U, R

C1 C2 C3
C4 C5 C6
Figure 5.
Indication of points N
where tests were S, U, R, C, P
performed
Notes: (a) A1 e A2; (b) B1 e B2
 Initially, the emitter coupling point was located next to the grid designed for surface NDT for
hardness tests, and the second coupling point for the receiver was demarcated, one quarter bridges
of the circumference, for semi-direct measurements, and the half-circumference for direct durability
measurements (180°).
This test was performed in all columns where the surface hardness index was measured, assessment
also at a height of 1.5 m (Figure 5). For this, an ultrasonic test equipment with 54 kHz
transducers was used. 505
3.3 Electrical resistivity
For the Concrete Electrical Resistivity test (CR) a Wenner probe was used, with 50 mm spaces
between the electrodes. The test followed the principles of RILEM TC 154-EMC (RILEM, 2003)
recommendations. Prior to the test, the position of reinforcement was demarcated using a
rebar scanner. It was decided to position the device orthogonally to the stirrups, so that they
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

were centralised between central electrodes, as instructed by Salehi (2013).

The test regions were humidified, and the measurements and results treatment followed
recommendations of RILEM TC 154-EMC (RILEM, 2003).
The resistivity tests were performed on the columns where the ultrasound and surface
hardness tests were done, at 1.5 m and also at 0.5 m from the ground. The measurements
were made in two points per column (0.5 m and 1.5 m) to identify possible variabilities, and
also to obtain concrete information in columns lower region, where visual inspection showed
a higher corrosion damage incidence.

3.4 Carbonation depth

For the tests of CD measurement, the concrete was fractured using pneumatic drill, in order
to break the concrete cover on the rebar. Two columns of each bridge were tested. At these
points, in addition to CD test, the measurements of cover thickness of the reinforcement
were carried out.
For choosing test points, it was predetermined that for each pair of bridges (A1 and A2 or B1
and B2) there should be two points at 0.5 m and two points at 1.5 m from the ground, and among
these four points per pair of bridges, there should be points facing both the north face and the
south face. In addition, preference was given to columns with low CR results, since the corrosive
process is expected to be more severe at these locations when corrosion get started. The
noticeable low-quality concrete in visual inspection was another selection criterion; that is why
depth of carbonation was also measured for P5 of bridge B1 and P5 of bridge B2 (Figure 5).
After the removal of part of concrete cover in tested regions, the dust generated by
fracture was removed by brushing. Then, a solution of phenolphthalein in alcohol and water
was sprayed in the proportions recommended in CPC 18 (RILEM, 1988). In total, 10 min after
spraying, four measurements of CD were made for each testing point.

3.5 Half-cell potential

Half-cell test was performed in accordance with of ASTM C 876 (ASTM, 2015)
recommendations, using a silver/silver chloride reference electrode. The classification of
half-cell potential results (E) for Ag/AgCl electrode was performed according to Bungey
et al. (2006) as follows: Eo−270 mV ¼ high probability of corrosion (W90 per cent); −120
mVoEo−270 mV ¼ uncertain probability; EW−120 mV ¼ low probability of corrosion
(o10 per cent).
Measurements were taken on the columns where the CD test was performed, reusing the
exposed reinforcement to the contact of the apparatus. Half-cell potentials were also
measured on columns where part of reinforcement was exposed by fire or corrosion induced
spalling of concrete cover. The measurement heights corresponded to the same criterion of
 IJBPA electrical resistivity tests that were performed at heights of 0.5 m and 1.5 m. This makes
36,5 possible the comparison between resistivity data and the potential of the electrode formed
by the interaction between steel and concrete, allowing a more reliable analysis in relation to
the possibility of corrosion activity.

4. Results and discussion

506 A high degree of cracking on girders was observed by visual inspection for all bridges (Plate 1).
Such cracks present an arrangement typical of bending overloaded beams: occurrence of
inclined cracks when close to the supports and vertical when near the girder span centre.
Another anomaly observed (Plate 2) is soot staining, accompanied, in some cases, by
spalling covering concrete parts (example: box girder lower face over western embankment
of A1; columns 2 and 6 of A1 and column 1 of bridge B1). As expected, the loss of concrete
cover favoured the occurrence of corrosion in exposed reinforcement, where oxidation
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

products and rebars cross-section reduction can be noted.

Regarding corrosion induced spalling, it occurs in column C1 of bridge A1 and columns
C3 and C6 of bridge B2. For all of them, the delamination was located in the lower regions of
the columns, where there is greater moisture and reinforcement concentration, as already
demonstrated by Medeiros, Knuutila, Pereira and Helene (2013). There are also spalling and
other corrosion damage in girders of A1 and A2 and in the slabs of B1 and B2. In these
regions, it is possible to notice the failure of drains and high humidity that favours leaching
and corrosive process (Plate 3).

(a) (b)

Plate 1.
Cracks on girders
Notes: (a) Vertical on span centre in A2; (b) inclined next to support in A1

(a) (b)

Plate 2.
Concrete fire induced
spalling
Notes: (a) Column 6 of A1; (b) Girder of A1
 (a) (b) NDT for
bridges
durability
assessment

507

(c)
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

Plate 3.
Corrosion induced
spalling of concrete
Notes: (a) Column 2 of A2; (b) Girder of A1; (c) Slab 2 of B1

4.1 Surface hardness

Figure 6 shows the surface hardness indexes (SIs). The 3D figure outlines the position of
columns and bridges.
According to Figure 6, there is little variation between the surface hardness indexes of
A1 and A2, with standard deviation equal to 1.8, which means that the material that
composes the columns is mostly uniform and apparently has good quality, which confirms
the observed in visual inspection. The same is not concluded for B1 and B2, which have a
standard deviation of 5.5, confirming lower material uniformity.
Regarding the position, it is possible to notice that the lower SIs refer to central columns,
B1 and B2. In these same columns, according to visual inspection, segregated concrete and

(a) (b)

69.4

71.1 71.9
69.9
63.0
65.3
68.2 70.4
67.1 66.9 68.2
69.4 75
75 67.8 64.1
66.7
Sclerometric Index
Sclerometric Index

70 55.0
70 C2/C3 (B1)
65.9 66.6
64.9
C2/C3/C4 (A1) 65
65 C4/C5 (B1)
59.4
C5/C6/C7 (A1)
60 60
C1/C2/C3 (B2)
55
C2/C3/C4 (A2)
55 Figure 6.
C5/C6/C7 (A2) C5 (B2) SI measured on
50 50
columns
Notes: (a) A1 and A2; (b) B1 and B2
 IJBPA surface wear were noticed. Thus, the lower quality of concrete in this case was probably
36,5 caused by concrete pouring from a high distance from the bottom, since the same low
quality is not noticed in the columns on extremities of same bridges: columns on the
embankments, consequently, with lower heights (see Figure 3). In addition, it is important to
mention that during the surface polishing of B1 and B2 central columns (C2 and C5), high
porosity of surface concrete was observed, since it crumbled easily when the abrasive stone
508 was rubbed against column surface (Plate 4).

4.2 Ultrasonic wave propagation velocity

As in the surface hardness results, ultrasonic wave propagation velocities (UPV ) are
presented here in graph that allows comparative 3D visualisation of velocities for all tested
columns (Figure 7).
According to the classification presented in BS EN 12504-4 (BSI, 2004), some columns are
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

classified as having very good quality concrete (C4 of B1; and C1, C2 and C3 of B2); others as
good quality concrete (C2, C4, C5 and C6 of A1; C2, C3, C6 and C7 of A2; and C2, C3 and C5 of
B1); others as medium quality concrete (C3 and C7 of A1; and C5 of A2); and still some with
low quality concrete (C4 of A2 and C5 of B2). For UPV tests, concrete of columns of bridges
B1 and B2 showed, in most cases, superior quality to that of A1 and A2, in contrast with
results indicated by surface hardness tests. This fact is not in agreement with laboratory
results presented by Pereira and Medeiros (2012), which indicate strong correlation between
the data of UPV transmitted directly, surface hardness index and compression strength.
However, the fact that it is an inspection in real structures, with variations in materials that
do not occur in laboratory, can explain why UPV and surface hardness tests do not show
convergence for some of field inspection cases. To understand this behaviour, it is important
to understand the principle of each test. While surface hardness tests only evaluate the
surface concrete, ultrasonic wave test evaluates the concrete by which wave has passed
through, thus considering the material bulk.
Another factor to be taken into account is the arrangement of transducers, which
occurred differently for the pairs of bridges. According to Bungey et al. (2006),
measurements in semi-direct positioning involve more inaccuracies than measurements in
direct arrangement. The differences in transmission of pulses may be also one cause to the
contrast between results of UPV and surface hardness tests, and to disagreement with cited
literature cases.

Plate 4.
Concrete surface
aspect on column
2 of B1
 (a) (b) NDT for
bridges
4,304
3,934 durability
3,538
3,750
3,500
3,936 assessment
3,387 4,321 4,321 4,249
3,772 3,686
3,959 3,297
3,749
4,500
C2/C3 (B1)
509

Wave Velocity (m/s)

Wave Velocity (m/s)

4,500
3,853 C2/C3/C4 (A1)
4,000
4,000 3,517 C4/C5 (B1)
3,288 C5/C6/C7 (A1) 3,500
3,500 2,383 2,908
C1/C2/C3 (B2)
3,000 C2/C3/C4 (A2) 3,000

2,500 2,500
C5 (B2)
Figure 7.
C5/C6/C7 (A2)
2,000 2,000 UPV values measured
on columns
Notes: (a) A1 and A2; (b) B1 and B2
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

In relation to the columns that had concrete classified as low quality, it is important to
associate their results with previous evaluations in order to understand the reason for their
dissimilarity with the others. In the case of C5 of B2, the result is in accordance with the
observed visually and in relation to the surface hardness. In the case of C4 of A2, there is a
difference that is not justified by previous analyses (visual and surface hardness). The main
justification for such behaviour is related to the existence of discontinuity in column
material, which has not presented symptoms externally and that were detected by UPV test.
This emphasises the importance of conducting more than one type of test to evaluate the
conditions of a structure.

4.3 Electrical resistivity

Figure 8 shows results obtained for concrete electrical resistivity tests (CR). As can be seen,
the concrete at 1.5 m has greater electrical resistivity in most of tested columns. This occurs
in 83.3 per cent of columns of A1 and A2 and in 75 per cent of columns of B1 and B2. The
differences between resistivity at 0.5 m and 1.5 m were analysed by statistical test (analysis
of variance (ANOVA)) and it was verified that these differences are significant, with more
than 90 per cent of reliability. Such behaviour is attributed to the greater internal humidity
in regions closest to the ground. For each bridge, only one of tested columns did not follow
this trend.
According to RILEM TC 154-EMC (RILEM, 2003) criteria, corrosion risk is considered
negligible in most cases presented here. Only eight measured regions have risk of corrosion:
four of them have low risk, and the other four have moderate risk. However, it is important
to note that these values are valid for concretes with low additions contents and 28 days of
age, under a constant temperature of 20°C, not accurately representing in situ conditions.
Therefore, it is prudent to maintain caution and do not discard the possibility of corrosion
propagation in regions whose resistivity is high. Thus, it is important to verify concrete
resistivity results together with half-cell potential and CD, as they can provide relevant
information about interaction of steel with concrete and corrosion initiation phase.

4.4 Carbonation depth

CDs obtained by phenolphthalein solution spray and concrete cover thickness measured in situ
are presented in Table I. Depths of carbonation less than 2 mm were considered insignificant
and the exact number measured was not recorded, due to the imprecision of such low values.
Phenolphthalein spray tests have shown unexpected results in relation to carbonation in
columns of A1 and A2, since the structure was built approximately 40 years ago and is
exposed to a high industrial concentration environment. Therefore, it is believed that the
 IJBPA (a)
36,5

541.0
600
A2

476.0
A1
Electrical resistivity (kΩ.cm)
500

339.0
328.0
400

302.0
292.0
248.0
249.0
240.0

241.0

223.0
510 300

201.0

189.2
173.2
151.8

144.2
138.9

124.9
119.1

118.2
200

56.4
100

27.1
22.3
0
C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

Corrosion Risk: Negligible Low Moderate High

Measurement height: At 0.5m At 1.5m

(b)
600
B1 B2
Concrete resistivity (kΩ.cm)

500

378.0
356.0

400

257.0
253.0
249.0

247.0
215.0
212.0

300
183.5

162.7

125.6
116.6
200
91.0
84.1
59.6

25.4

100

0
C2 C3 C4 C5 C1 C2 C3 C5
Corrosion Risk: Negligible Low Moderate High
Figure 8. Measurement height: At 0.5 m At 1.5m
Concrete resistivity
Notes: (a) A1 and A2; (b) B1 and B2

Bridge Column Height of measured region Concrete cover thickness (mm) CD (mm)

A1 C2 1.5 m 33 o2
C6 1.5 m 25 o2
A2 C3 0.5 m 27 o2
C7 0.5 m 24 o2
B1 C3 1.5 m 30 o2
Table I. C4 0.5 m 31 o2
Concrete cover C5 1.5 m 20 21
thickness and B2 C1 1.5 m 34 o2
carbonation depth C5 0.5 m 59 26

surface concrete of these columns has a higher quality than the one specified in the project,
since the surface hardness tests demonstrated relatively high values that are incompatible
with the resistance of 18 MPa specified in design, when compared with values of tables of
correlation between surface hardness index and compression strength. Jain et al. (2013)
showed compressive strengths above 20 MPa for concrete specimens whose surface
hardness index exceeded 30.
 The most expressive CDs among the tested columns are located in C5 of B1 and C5 of B2. NDT for
In the same columns, surface wear and segregation of concrete were noticed by visual bridges
inspection and low SI and UPV were obtained. Due to that, it is possible to affirm that such durability
high CDs are consequence of poor concrete quality.
Another point of attention is the variability of cover thicknesses, which are between 24 assessment
and 33 mm in A1 and A2 and between 20 and 59 mm in B1 and B2. Such differences can be
attributed to difficulties in ensuring a fixed spacing between all steel bars and the formwork, 511
this can occur either by formwork deformations or even reinforcement displacement during
the assembly and the concrete pouring. It can be pointed out that this kind of variations
generally takes place in real structures, and considering it turns studies and investigations
more complex for such type of construction. These difficulties are generally overcome in
laboratory test specimens, and it can explain why laboratory testing may often differ from
field testing.
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

The difficulties in research involving fieldwork inspection are also reported in Medeiros
et al. (2012), Medeiros, Gobbi, Réus and Helene (2013), Medeiros-Junior, Lima, Yazigi and
Medeiros (2015), Medeiros-Junior, Lima, Brito and Medeiros (2015). However, research works
such as these contribute to understanding the behaviour of structural materials and systems
in service. For this reason, the inspection work performed with adequate criteria and level of
detail is very important for connecting theory and practice of Civil Engineering.

4.5 Half-cell potential

Values obtained in the half-cell potential determination test are shown in Figure 9.
As showed in Figure 9, the possibility of occurrence of corrosion is considered low for all
regions tested, since none of the cases result was inferior to −120 mV. Furthermore, in some
cases the result was positive, which indicates a higher predisposition for reference electrode
metal to release electrons and to lose positive ions when it forms an electrochemical cell with
the electrode constituted by steel and concrete interstitial solution.
Regarding the height where test is performed, half-cell potential in the lower region of the
column was lower in most cases. This occurred for all tested columns of A1 and A2, and on
60 per cent of columns of B1 and B2. By ANOVA, it was concluded that the test height on
column interferes significantly in the results, with more than 95 per cent of reliability. This
trend of more marked half-cell potentials at the columns bottom coincides with that
demonstrated by Medeiros, Knuutila, Pereira and Helene (2013) and Medeiros et al. (2017).
The greater concordance with this tendency in A1 and A2 can be attributed to the greater
uniformity of their concrete, as evidenced by visual inspection and surface hardness test.

200 A1 A2 B1 B2
173.0
158.5 158.8
150
Half-cell Potential (mV × Ag/AgCI)

114.7
92.9
100
72.1 73.8 67.4 71.0 62.6
52.0
50
24.6 20.9 9.8 6.4 10.2
0

–20.6 –15.3
–50 –27.7
–53.3 –44.2

–100 –75.6 –75.3 Figure 9.

–100.0 Half-cell potentials in
–150 relation to an Ag/
C2 C3 C6 C7 C2 C3 C7 C3 C4 C5 C1 C5 AgCl electrode
At 0.5 m At 1.5 m Superior Limit for the Range of Corrosion Uncertainty
 IJBPA 4.6 Correlation between tests results
36,5 In order to verify the influence of certain test factors on others, linear regressions were
generated relating EI and UPV, EI and resistivity, UPV and resistivity, EI and half-cell
potential and UPV and half-cell potential. In all these cases, very low correlation coefficients
were obtained, all lower than 0.35. However, when relating half-cell potential and CR, higher
coefficients were obtained, although they did not point to a strong correlation between linear
512 regressions and results obtained. Figure 10 shows correlations between these tests. The
difficulty in correlating the results of different tests reflects the conditions of in situ
measurements, which have uncontrolled exposure parameters, unlike studies in laboratories
that have controlled temperature and relative humidity conditions, for example. The higher
correlation for the A1 and A2 bridges can also be attributed to the greater concrete
uniformity of these columns, which was demonstrated by previous tests.
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

4.7 NDTs contribution

Given the occurrence of corrosion in columns of bridges A1 and A2 and the low quality of
the concrete in columns of B1 and B2, the NDTs were used in order to get more detailed
information about the recurrence of corrosion on other points, the carbonation stage and the
concrete quality as a parameter of resistance to carbonation and corrosion.
From the NDTs carried out, it is concluded that carbonation cannot be indicated as a
cause of the corrosion observed on the columns of bridges A1 and A2. It is suggested the
localised correction of the corroded region and monitoring of the conditions of the bridges
by periodic inspections, since the half-cell potential tests do not show the occurrence of
corrosion in other columns nor in other regions of the affected columns.
In relation to the bridges B1 and B2, it is observed that the low quality of the concrete,
verified visually and confirmed by the surface hardness tests is determinant for the
carbonation rates. It is recommended that steps be taken to contain the advance of the CD in
order to avoid the initiation and propagation of corrosion in these columns.
In general, the NDTs performed as expected, indicating areas of necessity for repair,
bringing greater security to the decision maker about regions where corrective maintenance
steps are not needed or can be postponed. In addition, the NDTs provided information for
decision making related to preventive maintenance steps in the case of bridges B1 and B2.
Therefore, the tests presented here can be advantageous in regions with a high concentration
of carbon dioxide when there is evidence of corrosion by carbonation or of low resistance of
the concrete to carbonation. It is also important to highlight that the tests did not require high
expenditures and are easy to execute, resulting in a highly feasible application.

(a) (b)
400 400
y =1.52x +108.64
2
350 R = 0.817
Concrete Resistivity (kΩ.cm)

350
Concrete Resistivity (kΩ.cm)

y =10.07x +129.66
2
R = 0.646 y =0.91x +139.14 A2
d
300 B2 300 2
R = 0.596 an
an
d A1
250 B1 250 2
2, dB
A an
A1, B1
200 200

150 150

100 100

50 50

0 0
Figure 10. –150 –100 –50 0 50 100 150 200 –150 –100 –50 0 50 100 150 200
Correlation between Half-cell Potential (mV × Ag/AgCl) Half-cell Potential (mV × Ag/AgCl)
CR half-cell potential
Notes: (a) When including results from both bridges; (b) when including results separated
 5. Conclusion NDT for
This paper analysed four bridges in an urban-industrial region through visual inspection bridges
and NDT. From the results it is possible to conclude that: durability
• Visual inspection provided a relevant database of structural conditions. Deficiencies assessment
in constructive process of some elements were identified, such as corrosion in
columns and damages caused by human action such as spalling by fire in box girders
and columns. Such human interventions emphasise the need for periodic repetition of 513
visual inspections, since they represent a serious threat to durability and even
stability of structures.
• For the cases studied here, quality of material and proper functioning drainage are very
relevant, since, even though the whole structure was inserted in a highly aggressive
environment, only the structural elements where there were poor concrete and deficient
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

drainage components demonstrated occurrence of degradation mechanisms like

carbonation and rebar corrosion.
• NDTs have contributed to decision making about preventive and corrective
maintenance actions by bringing in more in-depth information not obtained by visual
inspection alone. For urban-industrial environments with a high concentration of
CO2, the tests pointed out the elements in which actions were necessary to contain the
advance of carbonation and to extend the service life of the structure. In addition,
the tests were useful in demonstrating that the corrosion damages observed were
punctual and did not require preventive actions on other structural elements of
the A1 and A2 bridges.

References
ABNT (2012), NBR 7584: Hardened Concrete – Evaluation of Surface Hardness by Rebound
Sclerometer – Test Method, Brazilian Association for Technical Standards, Rio de Janeiro.
ABNT (2013), NBR 8802: Hardened Concrete – Determination of Velocity of Ultrasonic Wave
Propagation, Brazilian Association for Technical Standards, Rio de Janeiro.
ASTM (2015), C876-15: Standard Test Method for Corrosion Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel
in Concrete, American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, PA.
Balestra, C.E.T., Lima, M.G., Silva, A.R. and Medeiros-Junior, R.A. (2016), “Corrosion degree effect on
nominal and effective strengths of naturally corroded reinforcement”, Journal of Materials in
Civil Engineering, Vol. 28 No. 10, pp. 04016103-1-04016103-9.
Bastidas-Arteaga, E., Schoefs, F., Stewart, M.G. and Wang, X. (2013), “Influence of global warming on
durability of corroding RC structures: a probabilistic approach”, Engineering Structures, Vol. 51,
pp. 259-266.
Bem, D.H., Lima, D.P.B. and Medeiros-Junior, R.A. (2018), “Effect of chemical admixtures on concrete’s
electrical resistivity”, International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, Vol. 36 No. 2,
pp. 174-187.
BSI (2004), BS EN 12504-4:2004. Testing Concrete. Determination of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity, BSI,
London.
Bungey, J.H., Grantham, M.G. and Millard, S. (2006), Testing of Concrete in Structures, 4th ed., Taylor &
Francis, London.
Caviglione, J.H., Kiihl, L.R.B., Caramori, P.H. and Oliveira, D. (2000), Cartas climáticas do Paraná
(Parana Weather Charts), IAPAR, Londrina, available at: www.iapar.br/pagina-677.html
(accessed 22 February 2017).
CEB (1998), Bulletin d’ informatión 243: Strategies for Testing and Assessment of Concrete Structures,
Euro-International Comitee of Concrete, Lausanne.
 IJBPA INMET (2016), Automatic Weather Stations – Graphics, INMET (Brazilian National Institute of
36,5 Meteorology), Brasilia, available at: www.inmet.gov.br/portal/index.php?r=home/page&page=
rede_estacoes_auto_graf (accessed 30 November 2016).
Jain, A., Kathuria, A., Kumar, A., Verma, Y. and Murari, K. (2013), “Combined use of non-destructive
tests for assessment of strength of concrete in structure”, Procedia Engineering, Vol. 54,
pp. 241-251.
514 Koch, G.H., Brongers, M.P., Thompson, N.G., Virmani, Y.P. and Payer, J.H. (2002), “Corrosion cost and
preventive strategies in the United States”, No. FHWA-RD-01-156, NACE International Institute,
Houston, TX.
Li, S., Xu, Y., Li, H. and Guan, X. (2014), “Uniform and pitting corrosion modeling for high-strength
bridge wires”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, Vol. 19 No. 7, pp. 04014025-1-04014025-8.
Mazer, W., Lima, M.G. and Medeiros-Junior, R.A. (2018), “Fuzzy logic for estimating chloride diffusion
in concrete”, Proceedings of the ICE – Structures and Buildings, Vol. 171 No. 7, pp. 542-551.
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

Medeiros, M.H.F., Giordano, D.E., Pereira, E. et al. (2012), “Inspeção no Palácio de La Luz–Montevideo:
uma visão de durabilidade (Inspection at La Luz Palace in Montevideo: a view for durability)”,
Revista de la ALCONPAT, Vol. 2 No. 2, pp. 93-108.
Medeiros, M.H.F., Gobbi, A., Réus, G.C. and Helene, P. (2013), “Reinforced concrete in marine
environment: effect of wetting and drying cycles, height and positioning in relation to the sea
shore”, Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 44, pp. 452-457.
Medeiros, M.H.F., Knuutila, M., Pereira, E. and Helene, P. (2013), “Inspection of buildings in Rio de
Janeiro-Brazil: proving the greater tendency of corrosion at the base of reinforced concrete
columns using potential corrosion technique”, American Journal of Engineering Research, Vol. 2
No. 4, pp. 102-112.
Medeiros, M.H.F., Rocha, F.C., Medeiros-Junior, R.A. and Helene, P. (2017), “Corrosion potential:
influence of moisture, water-cement ratio, chloride content and concrete cover”, Revista Ibracon
de Estruturas e Materiais, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 864-885.
Medeiros-Junior, R.A., Lima, M.G., Brito, P.C. and Medeiros, M.H.F. (2015), “Chloride penetration into
concrete in an offshore platform-analysis of exposure conditions”, Ocean Engineering, Vol. 103,
pp. 78-87.
Medeiros-Junior, R.A., Lima, M.G., Yazigi, R. and Medeiros, M.H. (2015), “Carbonation depth in 57 years
old concrete structures”, Steel and Composite Structures, Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 953-966.
Neville, A.M. (2012), Properties of Concrete, 5th ed., Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.
Parameswaran, L., Kumar, R. and Sahu, G.K. (2008), “Effect of carbonation on concrete bridge service
life”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 75-82.
Park, K.B. and Wang, X.Y. (2017), “Effect of climate change on service life of high volume fly ash concrete
subjected to carbonation – a Korean case study”, Sustainability, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 157-172.
Peng, L. and Stewart, M.G. (2016), “Climate change and corrosion damage risks for reinforced concrete
infrastructure in China”, Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 499-516.
Pereira, E. and Medeiros, M.H.F. (2012), “Pull Off test to evaluate the compressive strength of concrete:
an alternative to Brazilian standard techniques”, Revista IBRACON de Estruturas e Materiais,
Vol. 5 No. 6, pp. 757-780.
Rehman, S.K.U., Ibrahim, Z., Memon, S.A. and Jameel, M. (2016), “Nondestructive test methods for
concrete bridges: a review”, Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 107, pp. 58-86.
Rens, K.L., Nogueira, C.L. and Transue, D.J. (2005), “Bridge management and nondestructive
evaluation”, Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 3-16.
RILEM (1988), “CPC-18: measurement of hardened concrete carbonation depth”, Materials and
Structures, Vol. 21 No. 6, pp. 453-455.
RILEM (2003), “Recommendations of RILEM TC 154-EMC: electrochemical techniques for measuring
metallic corrosion half-cell potential measurements – potential mapping on reinforced concrete
structures”, Materials and Structures, Vol. 36 No. 7, pp. 461-471.
 Salehi, M. (2013), “Numerical investigation of the effects of cracking and embedded reinforcement on NDT for
surface concrete resistivity measurements using Wenner Probe”, doctoral dissertation, Carleton bridges
University, Ottawa.
Sloane, M.J.D., Betti, R., Marconi, G., Hong, A.L. and Khazem, D. (2012), “Experimental analysis of a
durability
nondestructive corrosion monitoring system for main cables of suspension bridges”, Journal of assessment
Bridge Engineering, Vol. 18 No. 7, pp. 653-662.
Tapan, M. and Aboutaha, R.S. (2011), “Effect of steel corrosion and loss of concrete cover on strength of
deteriorated RC columns”, Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 25 No. 5, pp. 2596-2603. 515
Yuan, Z., Fang, C., Parsaeimaram, M. and Yang, S. (2017), “Cyclic behavior of corroded reinforced
concrete bridge piers”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, Vol. 22 No. 7, pp. 04017020-1-04017020-21.

Corresponding author
Ronaldo A. Medeiros-Junior can be contacted at: medeirosjunior.ufpr@gmail.com
Downloaded by University of Sussex Library At 02:52 02 January 2019 (PT)

For instructions on how to order reprints of this article, please visit our website:
www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/licensing/reprints.htm
Or contact us for further details: permissions@emeraldinsight.com