Detection of Hidden Disease of Concrete Bridge Based on Infrared Thermal Imaging

Any object with temperature above absolute zero can radiate infrared energy outward ^[1]. According to this characteristic, the infrared thermal imaging method is applied to diseases of concrete bridges such as internal voids. The relationship between the hidden disease of concrete bridge and infrared thermal image is analyzed theoretically. The concrete model with internal cavity defects is established and the finite element simulation analysis is carried out to verify the feasibility of infrared thermal imaging method to detect the internal defects of bridge concrete. The final finite element simulation results are in agreement with the theoretical analysis, indicating that the method of detecting the internal defects of bridge concrete by infrared thermal imaging is feasible. (paper)