Nondestructive testing of concrete bridge decks using ground-penetrating radar and the chain drag method

This thesis presents the findings of two different nondestructive techniques that are used for bridge deck analysis: the chain drag method and ground penetrating radar (GPR). The chain drag testing was performed in the laboratory with 23 simulated concrete bridge deck specimens. The specimens contained varying internal conditions such as with/without steel reinforcement and with air and water filled cracks. The tests were to determine if the chains could uncover the different characteristics of each specimen, and to see if the varying sizes of the three chains had any influence on the outcome of the results.;The GPR testing was performed in the field on three highway bridge decks. The purpose of this testing was to determine if the GPR technique could accurately assess the depths to the different deck interfaces (overlay/concrete, 1st layer rebar, deck bottom, etc.), and to examine whether the radar software could find bridge deterioration.