Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
2001
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Committee Chair
Udaya Halabe.
Abstract
This thesis presents the results of an experimental study on the use of Infrared Thermography technique for detection of subsurface anomalies in fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapped timber bridge components. An extensive literature review on the application of various nondestructive evaluation techniques to composite structures has also been presented.;Simulated subsurface delaminations were constructed in the laboratory in timber piles wrapped with FRP composite fabric. The delaminations varied in size, thickness, and severity. These delaminations were placed between the 1/8&inches; thick FRP wrap and timber surface. The thermal images from the delaminated specimens were compared with thermal images from undamaged specimens to study the effect of subsurface anomalies. In addition, several field tests were conducted using the infrared imaging system on three timber railroad bridges located in Moorefield, West Virginia that were reinforced with FRP composite fabric. The field test data was used to detect debonds at the composite-timber interface and study the effect of environmental parameters on infrared images.;This study shows that the infrared thermography technique can be used to effectively to detect subsurface delaminations in timber components wrapped with FRP composite fabric. The study also shows the effect of different parameters (environmental conditions, heat source, etc.) on the clarity of infrared images.
Recommended Citation
Steele, William Edward III, "Detection of subsurface anomalies in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapped timber bridge components using infrared thermography" (2001). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 1209.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1209