Non-destructive inspection technologies for repair assessment in materials and structures
Tomoki Shiotani, N. Ogura, Nobuhiro Okude, Kazuo Watabe, Charlotte Van Steen, Eleni Tsangouri, Giuseppe Lacidogna, Sławomir Czarnecki, Hwa Kian Chai, Ya Yang, Els Verstrynge, Dimitrios G. Aggelis
Abstract
Aging infrastructure globally faces degradation, posing risks and requiring substantial repair investment. Strategic maintenance practices are crucial for evaluating structural conditions and ensuring sustainability. The growing demands on modern materials and structures necessitate enhanced health monitoring approaches. Shifting from reactive to proactive maintenance methodologies is paramount, due to lower investment while keeping the structural performance at acceptable standards. However, quantitative assurance of repair/reinforcement/retrofit programs or self-healing effect in structures is similarly crucial for the operation of the infrastructure. Non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, such as ultrasound, acoustic emission, and optical methods, play a vital role in assessing structural health. Through real-world case studies, the effectiveness of repair in addition to damage assessment are evaluated, encouraging a more systematic approach to monitoring structural repair efficacy. The paper intends to address the research gap in monitoring the repair effectiveness in civil structures and materials and provides valuable insights to enhance repair strategies in civil engineering. • Repair evaluation in civil structures by NDT is important although not widely applied so far. • Elastic wave techniques exhibit sensitivity to damage and healing allowing evaluation of repair effectiveness. • Modern tomography techniques enable visualization of repair in the volume of structures. • The paper gives a literature overview contributing towards reliable repair work assessment.