Systems and methods for contactless assessment of reinforced concrete
Inventors
Sagüés, Alberto Antonio • Walsh, Michael Thomas
Assignees
University of South Florida • University of South Florida St Petersburg
Publication Number
US-10247691-B1
Publication Date
2019-04-02
Expiration Date
2033-05-30
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Abstract
In one embodiment, non-contact assessment of reinforced concrete is performed by positioning a reference electrode in close proximity to a surface of the concrete without contacting the electrode to the surface, vibrating the electrode with a vibration generator, and measuring the electrical potential difference between the electrode and the concrete surface, the potential difference being indicative of the condition of a portion of a reinforcement member positioned below the concrete surface at the location of the electrode.
Core Innovation
The invention provides systems and methods for the contactless assessment of reinforced concrete using a Kelvin probe to perform non-contact measurement of concrete surface electrical potentials. In one embodiment, a reference electrode is positioned in close proximity to a concrete surface without making direct or indirect contact. A vibration generator oscillates the electrode, and the electrical potential difference between the electrode and the concrete surface is measured. This measurement is indicative of the condition of the reinforcement member, such as corroding steel, beneath the concrete surface at the measurement location.
The problem addressed by the invention arises from conventional assessment techniques that require the use of wet-tip reference electrodes in direct contact with concrete surfaces. Such methods are disruptive due to the need for a shared electrolyte, causing artifacts from liquid transport, drift in readings, laborious and time-consuming surface wetting, and uncertainty introduced by surface and bulk concrete effects. These issues hinder efficient and accurate diagnosis of reinforcement corrosion and surface condition mapping.
The core innovation eliminates the need for surface preparation involving wetting or direct contact by employing a Kelvin probe, which allows for instantaneous and non-disruptive measurement. The system enables the concrete to be assessed more rapidly and with less labor, maintaining stability and sensitivity even on dry surfaces. This approach facilitates accurate mapping and assessment of corrosion potential in reinforced concrete structures, supporting use cases such as bridge deck surveys and corrosion rate measurements.
Claims Coverage
There is one independent claim providing a primary inventive feature for contactless assessment of reinforced concrete using a non-contact, vibrating reference electrode.
Non-contact assessment of reinforced concrete using a vibrating reference electrode
A method is provided for non-contact assessment of reinforced concrete comprising: - Positioning a reference electrode in close proximity (approximately 0.9 to 1.1 mm) to the outer surface of concrete, without any direct or indirect contact between the reference electrode and the concrete (no component extends between them). - Vibrating the reference electrode with a vibration generator. - Measuring the electrical potential difference between the vibrating reference electrode and the concrete surface, the potential difference being indicative of the condition of the embedded steel reinforcement member underneath the test location. The inventive feature is defined by the absence of any direct or indirect contact (including no electrolyte or bridging medium) between the reference electrode and the concrete, and by using electrode vibration to enable the measurement.
The independent claim establishes a method facilitating contactless electrochemical assessment of reinforced concrete by utilizing a vibrating reference electrode positioned close to, but not in contact with, the concrete surface.
Stated Advantages
Enables non-disruptive, contactless assessment of reinforced concrete without requiring a shared electrolyte or intrusive surface preparation.
Provides nearly instantaneous and stable measurements on dry concrete surfaces, unlike conventional wet-tip electrodes that have significant drift and slow stabilization.
Reduces labor and time associated with pre-wetting and maintaining surface contact, making measurements faster and less resource-intensive.
Allows accurate, stable mapping and identification of corroding reinforcement zones, even when the surface is dry.
Is suitable for adaptation to automatic or mobile operation, enabling applications such as bridge or road surveys with minimal traffic disruption.
Documented Applications
Potential mapping and assessment of corrosion activity in reinforced concrete structures such as bridge decks and roads.
Automatic survey of bridge decks or similar structures using mobile or vehicle-trailed systems to detect active corrosion zones.
Measurement of corrosion rate (by means of polarization resistance or low frequency electrochemical impedance) of steel reinforcement within concrete.
Investigation and monitoring of early-stage concrete carbonation and associated diffusion potential development in real time.
Detection and assessment of moisture content gradients in concrete.
Assessment of diffusional penetration, partition of moisture, and chloride ion distribution within concrete cross-sections.
Evaluation of the transport and distribution of migrating corrosion inhibitors in concrete.
Characterization of the penetration and aging of concrete surface treatments such as silane/siloxane compounds.
Assessment of evaporative concentration of chemical species such as chloride ions on the concrete surface.
Assessment of sulfate attack and surface contamination, including evaluation of cleaning and remediation effectiveness on concrete.
Assessment of reinforcement in concrete monuments, statues, or substantially any concrete structure.
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