Ultrasonic detection of simulated corrosion in 1 inch diameter steel tieback rods.
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2009-08-01
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Edition:Final research report.
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Abstract:Corrosion of tieback rods in sheet piling systems can compromise the reliability of associated transportation
structures due to loss of cross‐section and reduced strength of the tieback rods. Common inspection techniques
currently involve excavating to the location of a few tieback rods for visual appraisal. This process is typically
expensive and labor‐intensive. Furthermore, the actual condition of the vast majority of tieback rods in a sheet piling
system remains unknown, since only a few tieback rods are typically inspected. Ultrasonic inspection of tieback rods
will provide a more comprehensive technique for detecting loss of cross‐section associated with corrosion. Ultrasonic
inspection is already used to successfully detect fracture of anchor bolts in transportation sign structures by coupling
ultrasonic transducers to one end of an anchor bolt and propagating a bulk wave along the bolt length. The proposed
research regarding tieback rods will involve similar propagation of bulk ultrasonic waves at the exposed end of a
tieback rod. However, instead of looking for “early echoes” in the signal associated with cracks or fracture, the portion
of the ultrasonic signal following the back wall echo will be investigated for evidence of loss of cross‐section due to
corrosion. These signal indicators will be correlated to actual variations in cross‐section dimensions, in order to
estimate the residual capacity of corroded tieback rods. The development of an effective ultrasonic technique for
inspecting tieback rods in sheet piling systems has the potential to save money by avoiding the costs of periodic
excavation. Furthermore, an efficient ultrasonic inspection technique will improve safety and structural reliability by
facilitating condition assessment of every tieback rod in a sheet piling system.
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