Chabbi, R; Ferhoune, N and Bouabdallah, F (2023) Diagnostic of degraded reinforced concrete bridges explaining the environmental condition effect and reinforcement method. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 41(4), pp. 825-848. ISSN 23984708
Abstract
Purpose: This research aims to study the materials that compose older reinforced concrete bridges which are damaged and degrading to explain the mechanisms and origins of various disorders. Therefore, this work will contribute to providing answers on the capacity of nondestructive evaluation method during the diagnosis. In addition to the characterization of affected structures, it will aim to provide effective solutions for different serious pathologies. Design/methodology/approach: In this context, two bridges located on NH16 and NH21, respectively, were studied in Annaba city (north-east Algeria), specifically in El-Hadjar municipality located in the central industrial zone of Pont-Bouchet. This study makes it possible to make conclusions from the in-depth diagnosis based on disorders exposition causes and mechanical characteristics evolution by non-destructive testing (NDT) tools. Furthermore, solutions are proposed, including conservation maintenance of these degraded structures. Findings: All degradations can be the result of several factors: either human (poor design) or chemical (surface water, wastewater and groundwater quality (acidic or basic)). In addition to other natural causes (geological formations, flood phenomena or climate), NDT tools play a major role in the evaluating mechanical performance of degraded structures (resistance and hardness). Research limitations/implications: The NDT techniques can be transmitted to civil engineering experts because their training is limited regarding mechanical and structural construction. Practical implications: NDT tools are the most suitable for in-situ assessing, and the concrete constructions health state, so far from financial problems. Social implications: Degraded bridge diagnosis by NDT testing is necessary for a thorough safety evaluation (mechanical performance, strength and deformability), to protect human lives and design durability. Originality/value: This is an original paper which contains new information at different scales and from special fields, based on an evaluation using NDT tools on real degraded structures. It can be used to improve the knowledge of materials employed in a bridge without performing expensive direct tests or the need for destroying it.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | aggressive environment; bridge; non-destructive testing; pathology; reinforced concrete; repair |
| Index terms: | groundwater, surface water, municipality, repair, reinforced concrete, evolution, methodology, concrete construction, Algeria, durability, degradation, pathology, non-destructive testing, conservation, testing, reinforcement, in-situ |
| Subjects: | material degradation and durability, professional practice, environmental science, building materials, environmental policy, professional development, water management, Geography, research methods, maintenance engineering, medical science and clinical practice, environmental engineering, administrative law, building construction |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Construction Materials, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here