Project: “Integrated Portable Diagnostic Tool for Non-Destructive Evaluation of Large Scale Concrete Structures”
Civil infrastructures age and deteriorate with time as a result of aging of materials, excessive use, overloading, climatic conditions, inadequate COtenance, and deficiencies in inspection methods. All of these factors contribute to the deterioration of constructed systems. As a result, health monitoring, repair, retrofit, rehabilitation, and replacement become necessary to ensure the safety of the public. In addition,_x000D_nondestructive evaluation (NDE), accelerated and destructive tests are also needed to predict life-cycle performances based on short-term test data. In the last years intensive research efforts have been directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge of quantitative NDE of construction materials and their application to large structural systems. However, only a limited number of the developed methodologies has been effectively applied, especially for "in field" measurements at real worksite conditions. _x000D_This project aims to develop an easy to use INtegrated PORtable Evaluation Tool (IN-PORE) combining three different state-of-the-art Non Destructive Testing (NDT) technologies in one box, able to provide a complete set of in situ Tests for large scale construction structures. In particular low frequency Acoustic, multifrequency Ultrasonic and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) methodologies will be combined in one set, in order to gain critical information concerning the performance, damage risk, and condition monitoring of large scale structures. Bulk characteristics and properties to be determined with these methods will be concrete porosity and strength development, concrete uniformity, moisture content, detection of cracks, voids, honeycombing, and other similar defects within the concrete structure. The innovation that IN-PORE offers is the simultaneous and complementary use of (i) advanced acoustic techniques such as microseismic and impact echo methods (at frequencies 5 -60 kHz), (ii) multifrequency ultrasonic testing (50 kHz – 500 kHz), together with (iii) a high sensitive portable NMR sensor for exploring water content and cement porosity. Easy-to-use software packages giving all information that currently is available ONLY AT LABORATORY level will be developed allowing ON-SITE analysis and assessment (such as "seismic refraction" and "impact echo grid" analysis in weathered or delaminated concrete, multifrequency analysis of ultrasonic signals, as well as on-site porosity determination of core samples using the NMR technique.) _x000D_To this end, the technological development, assessment and evaluation, of the methodologies will be carried out. The innovative and integrated diagnostic tool will be enhanced by the creation of an ‘expert system,’ along with templates for reports databases and surveys, as well as relevant guidelines for certification under the relevant EN and ASTM norms._x000D_The Consortium comprises of 3 participants: (i) the CO participant ENDITECH S.A. a Research-oriented SME, from Greece established at the National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos, with strong Market and R&D activities in the field of Non-Destructive Testing in Greece and the Balkan area. ENDITECH has been founded by entrepreneurs from the construction sector together with scholars with long experience in materials science and technology (ii) NORTEST LTD, a SME Company based in Cyprous with very high expertise and activities in the field of Non-destructive Testing, and (iii) L2MGC, Laboratoire de Mécanique et Matériaux du Génie Civil (Laboratory of Mechanics and Materials for Civil Engineering) in the university de Cergy-Pontoise, France with a very strong and recognised activity in the field of non-destructive testing, with interests both in the research area and in research contracts with many companies. Evidently, the consortium possesses high complementarity with long-standing and substantial experience in the subject, and high recognition in the industrial / commercial and academic arena of NDTs. The ultrasonic modules will be developed by ENDITECH and tested by L2MGC (laboratory Tests) and by NORTEST (in-field Tests). The NMR sensor will be developed by ENDITECH under the guidance and assistance of the NMR Laboratory of NCSR Demokritos (subcontractor).
| Acronym | IN-PORE (Reference Number: 4291) |
| Duration | 01/03/2008 - 01/05/2012 |
| Project Topic | Development of an Integrated Portable Diagnostic Tool combining state-of-the-art low frequency Acoustic, multifrequency Supersonic and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance techniques, currently used only in Laboratory, able to provide a complete set of in situ NDTs for large scale structural systems. |
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Project Results (after finalisation) |
The project outcome has been a single, portable device which combines 3 different Non Destructive Testing techniques the INtegrated PORtable Evaluation tool (INPORE). The device evaluates information about the condition monitoring of large scale concrete structures by utilizing 3 methods - microseismic/impact echo technique, multifrequency ultrasonic testing and high sensitive portable NMR. The NMR is used to explore cement porosity and water content. |
| Network | Eurostars |
| Call | Eurostars Cut-Off 1 |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | ENDITECH S.A. | Coordinator | Greece |
| 3 | Laboratoire de Mécanique et Matériaux du Génie Civil (Université de Cergy-Pontoise ) | Partner | France |
| 3 | Nortest (Cyprus) LTD | Partner | Cyprus |