Title: Evaluation of Several Nondestructive Testing Techniques for Locating Voids in Grouted Tendon Ducts

Author(s): N. A. Cumming, P. T. Seabrook, and V. Malhotra

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 128

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 47-68

Keywords: ducts; nondestructive tests; offshore structures; voids; prestressed concrete; prestressing steels; ultrasonic tests; General

DOI: 10.14359/3648

Date: 11/1/1991

Abstract:
A research program was undertaken to evaluate commercially available nondestructive testing techniques to locate voids in grouted tendon ducts. A laboratory scale mockup was used to evaluate several methods. On the basis of these results, impact-echo, ultrasonic, pulse-echo, and ultrasonic pitch-catch systems were selected for further evaluation. A full-scale mockup of a section representing an icewall of an offshore drilling structure was fabricated. It contained grouted tendon ducts with voids of various sizes and configuration. A test was carried out in which three teams of researchers from Canada and the U.S. evaluated nondestructively the mockup without knowledge of the locations or nature of the voids. This paper presents the results of the preceding evaluation and makes recommendations for further research.