Emprego da termografia infravermelha no auxílio às inspeções em píeres de concreto armado expostos ao ambiente marinho

Abstract

The port department is strategic for the national economy, therefore, the way as the ports are managed impacts directly on Brazil’s growth. The maintenance of dock structures functionality is necessary to ensure the port operations. Pier inspections are generally difficult to execute, resulting in uncertain assessments. When constructed of reinforced concrete and in the marine environment, imprecision in the diagnosis of pathological behavior can result in shortening the life of the equipment, as well as raising the costs of the interventions. This article aims to study the gains of the application of the infrared thermography test in the evaluation of piers when constructed under those circumstances. A research and analysis of the existing literature was effectuated, the present article being characterized as a bibliographical research. The infrared thermography test has characteristics that make its application very suitable for the recognition of the pathologies present in these structures. Typical aspects of the marine environment produce an extremely aggressive conditions to reinforced concrete structures. The simplicity of execution, the non-degradation of the structure, the unnecessary physical contact and the feasibility of analyzing areas instead of points or lines are the great advantages of the infrared thermography method. Equipment reading parameters and environmental conditions such as solar radiation, wind and humidity are required to be well evaluated before the test starts to ensure reliability of the results.