Validation of Strengths and Limitations of Seismic Methods in Quality Management and Assessment of Shotcrete Liners
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 29, Issue 2
Abstract
Shotcrete liners are being utilized more frequently in transportation infrastructure as retaining structures and tunnel covers. Despite their economic advantages to concrete, the initial quality of construction and long-term durability of shotcrete liners are of concern among highway agencies. The quantitative construction quality management is needed to ensure adequacy and uniformity of strength and thickness. Also, periodic inspection of shotcrete liners is necessary to assess possible material deterioration and to detect the onset of defects. The impact echo and ultrasonic surface wave methods are two nondestructive sonic methods that have been proven effective for those purposes in concrete structures. Unlike concrete slabs, shotcrete slabs exhibit spatial heterogeneity. In addition to heterogeneity, surface roughness of shotcrete adds some complications into data interpretation in terms of thickness measurement. The practical effectiveness of applying these methods to shotcrete liners using a commercially-available nondestructive testing device was evaluated in three actual tunnels. This paper focuses on validating the effectiveness of these methods through a well-controlled testing on a number of shotcrete specimens constructed with and without known defects. Results from this study demonstrate that the stiffness of shotcrete layer and the presence of delamination and voids within the shotcrete liners can be detected well by using these seismic methods in combination.
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Acknowledgments
This study was carried out as part of the SHRP 2 Project R06-G. The contents of this paper reflect the authors’ opinions, not necessarily the policies and findings of the SHRP 2 project. The authors are grateful to Dr. Andrew Wimsatt and Mr. Joshua White from Texas A&M University for their help in arranging the tests.
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Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 29 • Issue 2 • April 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 14, 2013
Accepted: Oct 14, 2013
Published online: Jul 16, 2014
Discussion open until: Dec 16, 2014
Published in print: Apr 1, 2015
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