Correlation between concrete strength properties and surface electrical resistivity

abstract: Periodic inspections in reinforced concrete structures are important to be carried out to assess their state of conservation. In this scenario, non-destructive tests can be a suitable option since destructive tests are invasive and may be difficult to be performed in some cases. Considering this option, correlations between non-destructive test parameters and the concrete properties to be analyzed are useful tools that make easier the structure inspection. In the present work, correlations between the compressive strength (fc) and splitting tensile strength (ft) and surface electrical resistivity (ρ) of concretes were studied. Brazilian concretes of six different mixtures were analyzed at five different ages and correlation curves between strength properties and surface electrical resistivity of concrete were obtained, which are represented by the general relationships fc= 14.18·ln(ρ) + 18.43 and ft = 0.69·ln(ρ) + 2.15 for compressive strength and splitting tensile strength, respectively. In addition, a general curve considering literature data and results from this work was proposed to represent the relationship between compressive strength and surface electrical resistivity - fc = 11.89·ln(ρ) + 18.90.

A multi-pronged approach to strengthen diesel vehicle emission monitoring

China is constructing an vehicle emission monitoring system, aimed at combining remote OBD, periodic inspections, remote sensing and roadside checks. In this study, the exhaust emissions from diesel vehicles were investigated and analysed.

Compliance issue of ready-made garments industry in Bangladesh: A case study

The aim of this research is to look into the current situation and difficulties that the compliance department faces in ensuring compliance in Bangladesh's Ready Made Garments industry. Data are gathered using a formal questionnaire from the compliance department of the garments industry, which is in charge of addressing compliance concerns in the workplace. According to the report, the garments industry faces the least difficulty in removing child labor in the workplace, followed by welfare services, workplace protection, workplace conditions, health care, and so on. The garments industry has found that freedom of association, workplace health and safety training, violence and bullying, and extended working hours are the most difficult issues to deal with inside factory premises. It also shows that the most significant obstacle for top management in implementing enforcement is a lack of top-level funding, which is accompanied by a lack of worker knowledge of their rights, a lack of government involvement, and inadequate worker literacy. The results suggest that the garment owners need to change their mindset from pure benefit to a long-term enterprise focused on justice and quality. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and labor unions all have a role to play in informing employers of their interests. Via preparation, dialogue, and fair and periodic inspections, the government should show a firm commitment to enforcing the laws.

Non-Destructive Testing Applications for Steel Bridges

The growing population and increasing demand for surface transportation have highlighted the importance of maintaining safe and reliable civil infrastructures for daily use. Among all civil infrastructures, bridges are one of the most important elements in the transportation system. As such, to prevent any failures caused by aging and environmental impacts, bridges require periodic inspections. This becomes even more critical due to climate change and its effect on bridges, especially in the coastal regions. Most of the inspections conducted incorporate the visual type of evaluation due to its simplicity. However, with the current developments in new technologies, there is a need for more advanced techniques of structural health monitoring (SHM) methods to be incorporated in the maintenance programs for more accurate and efficient surveys. In this paper, non-destructive testing (NDT) methods applicable to steel bridges are reviewed, with a focus on methods applicable to local damage detection. Moreover, the methodology, advantages and disadvantages, and up-to-date research on NDT methods are presented. Furthermore, the application of novel NDT techniques using innovative sensors, drones, and robots for the rapid and efficient assessment of damages on small and large scales is emphasized. This study is deemed necessary as it compiles in one place the available information regarding NDT methods for in-service steel bridges. Access to such information is critical for researchers who intend to work on new or improved NDT techniques.

Analysis of Mechanical Adhesion Climbing Robot Design for Wind Tower Inspection

Mmaintenance of wind turbine farms is a huge task, with associated significant risks and potential hazard to the safety and wellbeing of people who are responsible for carrying the tower inspection tasks. Periodic inspections are required for wind turbine tower to ensure that the wind turbines are in full working order, with no signs of potential failure. Therefore, the development of an automated wind tower inspection system has been very crucial for the overall performance of the renewable wind power generation industry. In order to determine the life span of the tower, an investigation of robot design is discussed in this paper. It presents how a mechanical spring-loaded climbing robot can be designed and constructed to climb and rotate 360° around the tower. An adjustable circular shape robot is designed that allows the device to fit in different diameters of the wind generator tower. The rotational module is designed to allow the wheels to rotate and be able to go in a circular motion. The design further incorporates a suspension that allows the robot to go through any obstacle. This paper also presents afiniteelement spring stress analysis and Simulink control system model to find the optimal parameters that are required for the wind tower climbing robot.

Study of gas pipelines cracks using transmission and Compton scattering

Most of the natural gas production is transported through pipelines that require periodic inspections to evaluate the structural integrity of the pipelines due to possible defects caused by degradation that can rupture causing leakage of the fluid causing major disasters. Based on this, the project presents a methodology for predicting cracks in pipe used in gas pipelines. The approximation is based on the principles of gamma densitometry to calculate the density of the pipe wall in order to investigate possible cracks. The natural gas fluid is found in such systems and interferes in the density calculations and therefore will be considered in the simulations. The detection system uses a narrow beam geometry appropriately, comprising gamma ray source (137Cs) and NaI(Tl) 3"x3" detectors for calculating transmitted and scattered photons. Different positioning angles of the detector are investigated. In this study, the MCNP-X code is used to perform the simulations, in order to develop a counting geometry. Simulations of different thicknesses of the crack were also used to determine the minimum thickness detected by the two NaI(Tl) detectors. Having equipment that can estimate cracks present in pipes used in gas pipelines, in addition to predicting their location can reduce costs and make a major contribution to this sector.

RPA POSITIONING ERROR INFLUENCE ON CLOSE RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRY FOR INDUSTRIAL INSPECTION

In oil and gas offshore platforms, special pipelines as flexible risers make the connection between the ocean floor structures and the platform in extreme environmental and operational conditions. Periodic inspections are necessary to assess their integrity. As industrial climbing for inspection is expensive, extremely dangerous and time consuming, qualitative visual inspection with Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), also known as drones, are being successfully applied for remote inspection of offshore flares and risers in a much safer, quicker, and cheaper way. These experiences motivate the 3D photogrammetric inspection of risers using RPAS, considering restrictions like layout of the inspected structures and surroundings and inability to prepare the scene. In this paper, taking advantage of the position information provided by the RPAS, the reconstruction and scale of the test scene were made using only GNSS data, GNSS and scale bars, RTK, and RTK and scale bars. Calibrated artifacts were used to evaluate the results and they include a PVC pipe with artificial defects simulating a riser, a pyramidal pattern with four spheres, and scale bars. The results showed that, as expected, the worst results are for GNSS data with error standard deviations of 0.35 mm compared with 0.20 mm or less for other options. For the sphere’s artifact, relative maximum sphere spacing errors are 9.3% for GNSS, 1.9% for RTK and 0.26% using scale bars. In any case it was possible to identify the defects in the pipe with good quality and with much more detail compared with a climbing inspection.