The application of selected tomographic imaging methods in the inspection of concrete bridges

Łukasz Topczewski

doi:10.7409/rabdim.025.020

Published: 2025-09-29

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2025)

The application of selected tomographic imaging methods in the inspection of concrete bridges

Łukasz Topczewski

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.7409/rabdim.025.020

Abstract

Majority of non-destructive testing (NDT) methodologies necessitate access to only one side of the structure. Due to factors such as wave absorption or reflection by the test object, it is necessary to position the transmitter and receiver on different sides of the test surface. This particular investigative modality is designated as tomography. The article reviews the literature on the use of tomography for the inspection of concrete structures, and presents the results of research conducted on the use of GPR in tomographic mode on a bridge support. It is concluded that GPR in tomographic mode is well suited for mapping larger areas with varying concrete quality. Conversely, radiography is particularly well suited to point measurements and is not limited by the influence of dense reinforcement mesh. It has been determined that when employing a suitable radiation source, the risk to human health when utilising this method is negligible. The article examines X-ray tomography and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) techniques, both employing tomographic imaging and requiring access to at least two sides of the structure. It aims to compare the two methods in terms of accuracy and data acquisition, based on the author’s experimental results and evidence from international literature.

Keywords:

assessment, bridge, GPR, inspection, tomography, radiography

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Juliusz Cieśla, Mirosław Biskup, Łukasz Topczewski, Marian Skawiński, Cases of failure of bridge structures during the process of pre-stressing , Roads and Bridges – Drogi i Mosty: Vol. 16 No. 1 (2017)
Łukasz Topczewski, Juliusz Cieśla, Assessment of load bearing capacity of reinforced concrete bridge on the base of NDT results , Roads and Bridges – Drogi i Mosty: Vol. 13 No. 2 (2014)
Łukasz Topczewski, Guidelines for the application of ground penetrating radar (GPR) to inspection of concrete bridges – reflection mode , Roads and Bridges – Drogi i Mosty: Vol. 11 No. 4 (2012)

Download files

PDF

Citation rules

Topczewski, Łukasz. (2025). The application of selected tomographic imaging methods in the inspection of concrete bridges. Roads and Bridges – Drogi I Mosty, 24(3), 341–352. https://doi.org/10.7409/rabdim.025.020

Cited by / Share

Licence

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Helmerich R., Bässler R., Buhr B., Holm G., Krüger M., Niederleithinger E., Brühwiler E.: NDT-Toolbox (Non Destructive Testing Toolbox). Sustainable Bridges SB 3.16, 2007, available online: https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-75312 (available: 01.09.2025)
Google Scholar

Helmerich R., Jan B., Casas J.R., Cruz P., Holm G., Geir H., Buhr B.: Guideline for inspection and condition assessment of existing European railway bridges. Sustainable Bridges: Including advices on the use of non-destructive testing, 2007, https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-74579 (available: 01.09.2025)
Google Scholar

Elfgren L.: Defects in railway bridges and procedures for maintenance. UIC Code 778-4R, 2009, https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-23547 (available: 01.09.2025)
Google Scholar

Taeby M., Mehrabi A.B.: Risk-based selection of inspection method for external post- tensioning system of bridges. Applied Sciences, 12, 14, 2022, Article ID: 7103, DOI: 10.3390/app12147103
Google Scholar

Karthik M.M., Terzioglu T., Hurlebaus S., Hueste M.B., Weischedel H., Stamm R.: Magnetic flux leakage technique to detect loss in metallic area in external post-tensioning systems. Engineering Structures, 201, 2019, Article ID: 109765, DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.109765
Google Scholar

Topczewski L.: Improvement and application of Ground Penetrating Radar Non-Destructive Technique for the concrete bridge inspection. PhD Thesis, University of Minho, 2007
Google Scholar

Becht A., Tronicke J., Appel E., Dietrich P.: Inversion strategy in crosshole radar tomography using information of data subsets. Geophysics, 69, 1, 2004, 222-230, DOI: 10.1190/1.1649390
Google Scholar

Brauchler R., Liedl R., Appel E.: A travel time based hydraulic tomographic approach. Water Resources Research, 39, 12, 2003, Article ID: 1370, DOI: 10.1029/2003WR002262
Google Scholar

Tronicke J., Tweeton D.R., Dietrich P., Appel E.: Improved crosshole radar tomography by using direct and reflected arrival times. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 47, 2, 2001, 97-105, DOI: 10.1016/S0926-9851(01)00050-7
Google Scholar

Tronicke J., Dietrich P., Appel E.: Quality improvement of crosshole georadar tomography: pre- and post-inversion data analysis strategies. European Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, 7, 2002, 59-73
Google Scholar

Tronicke J., Knoll M.D.: Vertical radar profiling: influence of survey geometry on first-arrival traveltimes and amplitudes. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 57, 3, 2005, 179-191, DOI: 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2004.11.001
Google Scholar

Jeon D., Yoon S.: Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) for concrete structure applications: A review. Buildings, 14, 9, 2024, Article ID: 2654, DOI: 10.3390/buildings14092654
Google Scholar

Fernandes F.M.: Evaluation of two novel NDT techniques: microdrilling of clay bricks and ground penetrating radar in masonry. PhD Thesis, University of Minho, 2006
Google Scholar

Vicente M.A., Mínguez J., González D.C.: The use of computed tomography to explore the microstructure of materials in civil engineering: from rocks to concrete. In: Computed Tomography - Advanced Applications, InTechOpen, London, 2017, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.69245
Google Scholar

Pimentel M.: Numerical modelling for safety examination of existing concrete bridges. PhD Thesis, University of Porto, 2011
Google Scholar

Pimentel M., Figueiras J., Mariscotti M., Thieberger P.: Gamma-ray inspection of post tensioning cables in a concrete bridge. In: Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Structural Faults and Repair - 2010, Engineering Technics Press, Forde M.C. (Ed), Edinburgh, 2010, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mario-Mariscotti/publication/264879530_GAMMA-RAY_INSPECTION_OF_POST_TENSIONING_CABLES_IN_A_CONCRETE_BRIDGE/links/543fc2ca0cf2fd72f99da3dd/GAMMA-RAY-INSPECTION-OF-POST-TENSIONING-CABLES-IN-A-CONCRETE-BRIDGE.pdf, available: 01.09.2025
Google Scholar

Mariscotti M.A.J.: Patent No. US5828723 Process for determining the internal three-dimensional structure of a body opaque to visible light by means of radiations from a single source, specially suitable for reinforced concrete parts. Tomografia de Hormigón Armado S.A., date of publication: 27.10.1998
Google Scholar

Thieberger P., Mariscotti M.A.J., Ruffolo M.D., Frigerio T.: Patent No. WO2008060398A2 Method and arrangement for improving tomographic determinations, particularly suitable for inspection of steel reinforcement bars in concrete structures. Tomografia de Hormigón Armado S.A., date of publication: 22.05.2008
Google Scholar

https://infotechnology.fhwa.dot.gov/radiography-rad-tendons/ (available: 26.04.2025)
Google Scholar

Mariscotti M.A.J., Jalinoos F., Frigerior T., Ruffolo M., Thieberger P.: Gamma-ray imaging for void and corrosion assessment. ACI Concrete International, 31, 11, 2009, 48-53
Google Scholar

Derobert X., Aubagnac C., Abraham O.: Comparison of NDT techniques on a post-tensioned beam before its autopsy. NDT & E International, 35, 8, 2002, 541-548, DOI: 10.1016/S0963-8695(02)00027-0
Google Scholar

Binda L., Saisi A., Tiraboschi C., Valle S., Colla C., Forde M.: Application of sonic and radar tests on the piers and walls of the Cathedral of Noto. Construction and Building Materials, 17, 8, 2003, 613-627, DOI: 10.1016/S0950-0618(03)00056-4
Google Scholar

Berryman J.G.: Lecture notes on nonlinear inversion and tomography. University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, US, 1991, https://www.geokniga.org/bookfiles/geokniga-lecturenotesonnonlinearinversionandtomography1boreholeseismictomography.pdf (available: 08.05.2025)
Google Scholar

Buyukozturk O.: Imaging of concrete structures. NDT & E International, 31, 4, 1998, 233-243, DOI: 10.1016/S0963-8695(98)00012-7
Google Scholar

Kak A.C., Slane M.: Principles of computerized tomographic imaging. Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers, IEEE Press, 1998, https://www.slaney.org/pct/pct-toc.html (available: 08.05.2025)
Google Scholar

Laksameethanasan D.: 3D modelling and imaging based on transmission diffraction tomography and algebraic reconstruction techniques as applied in NDT. Master Thesis, University of Kassel, Germany, 2004
Google Scholar

Marklein R., Mayer K., Hannemann R., Krylow T., Balasubramanian K., Langenberg K.J., Schmitz V.: Linear and nonlinear inversion algorithms applied in non destructive evaluation. Inverse problems, 18, 6, 2002, 1733-1759, DOI: 10.1088/0266-5611/18/6/319
Google Scholar

Meju M.A.: Geophysical data analysis: Understanding inverse problem theory and practice. Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Books, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1995, https://books.google.pl/books?id=oLlVczj0FcYC&printsec=frontcover&hl=pl&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (available: 08.05.2025)
Google Scholar

Scales J., Smith M., Treitel S.: Introductory geophysical inverse theory. Samizdat Press, Golden, Colorado, USA, 2001, https:// sites.mines.edu/samizdat/wp-content/uploads/sites/341/2020/07/Scales_smith_treitel.pdf (available: 08.05.2025)
Google Scholar

Valle S., Zanzi L., Rocca F.: Radar tomography for NDT: comparison of techniques. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 41, 2-3, 1999, 259-269, DOI: 10.1016/S0926-9851(98)00046-9
Google Scholar

Cruz P.J.S., Topczewski L., Fernandes F.M., Trela C., Lourenco P.B.: Application of radar techniques to the verification of design plans and the detection of defects in concrete bridges. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 6, 4, 2010, 395-407. DOI: 10.1080/15732470701778506
Google Scholar

The application of selected tomographic imaging methods in the inspection of concrete bridges

Abstract

Keywords:

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Downloads

Łukasz Topczewski