Applications of Active Infrared Thermography Methods in Civil Engineering : Reinforced Concrete and CFRP

The accessibility of active infrared thermography methods depends on the heating sources. The paper presents the application of three active infrared thermography methods in civil engineering. The first method with a Laser system was applied to detecting the absence of adhesive in CFRP which is commonly used for strengthening different structures (such as columns, beams, slabs). The second method with halogen lamps was also applied to detect the defect in CFRP. The last method with microwave heating source (frequency of 2.45 GHz) was applied to detect reinforcement bars in a reinforced concrete wall, and to detect the defect in CFRP. The results showed the efficiency of the active thermography methods for civil engineering structures. More particularly, the microwave thermography was also used to study the durablity (defects with aging) of the CFRP.