Long-Term Numerical Analysis of Subsurface Delamination Detection in Concrete Slabs via Infrared Thermography

One of the concerns about use passive Infrared Thermography (IRT) for structural health monitoring (SHM) is determination a favorable period to conduct inspections. This paper investigates numerical simulations find appropriate periods IRT-based detection subsurface damages in concrete bridge slabs under heating along 1 year time span. A model was built using Finite Element Method (FEM) and calibrated results set thermographic field inspections on slab sample. The showed that simulation properly reproduced experimental measurements structure heating, allowing analysis be extended longer testing period. long-term FEM demonstrated months spring summer are most suitable IRT this study, with around 17% more detections compared autumn winter Brazil. By enhancing possibility beyond design stage, we demonstrate computation tool can provide support SHM.