Optimal non-destructive evaluation of concrete by coupling NDT methods

Résumé

Understanding the in situ mechanical properties of concrete is essential for determining the structural capacity of both existing structures and new constructions. The recent methodology for assessing concrete strength in an existing structure involves integrating nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques with destructive measurements (coring) to establish a conversion model that correlates mechanical strength with nondestructive measurements. Subsequently, the conversion model is applied to estimate the local mechanical strength at each testing location based on the corresponding NDT values.The Rebound Hammer (RH) test and the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) test are widely used for estimating the compressive strength of concrete. However, the accuracy of the results obtained from these methods can be influenced by various factors. To mitigate these effects, the strategic combination of these two nondestructive tests provides an effective way to evaluate concrete strength in existing structures. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to analyze the assessment methodology of structures by combining nondestructive techniques and to offer practical recommendations that can enhance the reliability of in-situ concrete strength. For this purpose, a simulator was developed to analyze the methodology of nondestructive assessment using an extensive dataset derived from various sources, including in-situ studies, as well as generated synthetic data.The primary contribution of this study is to propose a new model identification approach based on multi-objective optimization to predict the mean strength of concrete and its variability, based on the combination of NDT measurements. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to check the performance by considering the uncertainty of NDT measurements and the variability of concrete. The results highlighted the effectiveness of the multi-objective method in determining both the average strength and the variability of strength compared to other approaches. Furthermore, this innovative approach enables enhanced accuracy in estimating concrete properties with a reduced number of cores compared to traditional methods.In addition, a thorough and accurate representation of the structure under examination can be achieved by carefully choosing the core locations. The efficacy of various suggested sample strategies has been evaluated in this study in order to select the optimal locations for the core extractions. Through these thorough comparisons, the study aims to discover the sampling plan that best aligns with the specific objectives of evaluating concrete strength. It is suggested to use variance sampling, which appears to be a suitable alternative for reducing inherent uncertainties in the nondestructive assessment process [...]

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