This research aims to investigate the application of infrared thermography (IRT) as a method of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) for the detection of defects in the rail base area. Rails have to withstand harsh conditions during their application. Therefore, defects can develop in the base area of rails due to stresses such as bending, shear, contact, and thermal stresses, fatigue, and corrosion. Such defects can cause catastrophic failures in the rails, ultimately leading to train derailments. Rail base defects due to fatigue and corrosion are difficult to detect and currently there are no reliable or practical non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods for finding these types of defects in the revenue service. Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) had previously conducted a research on the capability of flash IRT to detect defects in rail base area based on simulation approach. The research covered in this thesis is the continuation of the same project.In this research, three rail samples were prepared with each containing a notched-edge, side-drilled holes (SDHs), and bottom-drilled holes (BDHs). Two steel sample blocks containing BDHs and SDHs of different sizes and depths were also prepared. Preliminary IRT trials were conducted on the steel samples to obtain an optimal IRT setup configuration. The initial inspections for one of the steel samples were outsourced to Thermal Wave Imaging (TWI) where they employed Thermographic Signal Reconstruction (TSR) technique to enhance the resulting images. Additional inspections of the steel samples were performed in the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIUC) facility. In case of the rail samples, the SDHs and the notched-edge reflectors could not be detected in any of the experimental trials performed in this research. In addition, two more rail samples containing BDHs were prepared to investigate the detection capabilities for three different surface conditions: painted, unpainted, and rusted. The painted surface provided a best-case scenario for inspections while the other conditions offered further insight on correlating the application to industry-like cases.A 1300 W halogen lamp was employed as the heat source for providing continuous thermal excitation for various durations. Post-processing and analysis of the resulting thermal images was performed within the acquisition software using built-in analysis tools such as temperature probes, Region of Interest (ROI) based intensity profiles, and smoothing filters. The minimum defect diameter to depth (aspect) ratio detected in preliminary trials for the steel sample blocks were 1.0 at a diameter of 4.7625 mm (0.1875 in) and 1.5 at a diameter of 3.175 mm (0.125 in). For the inspection of painted rail sample, the longest exposure times (10 sec) provided the best detection capabilities in all sets of trials. The three holes having aspect ratio greater or equal to 1.0 were indicated in the thermal response of the painted and rusted samples while only the two holes having aspect ratio greater or equal to 1.5 were indicated in the unaltered sample. Indications of reflectors were identified through qualitative graphical analysis of pixel intensity distributions obtained along a bending line profile. The results obtained from the painted sample provided a baseline for analyzing the results from the unpainted and rusted rail samples. This provided an insight on the limitations and requirements for future development. The primary takeaway is the need for an optimized heat source. Poor contrast in the resulting image for the unpainted and rusted rail samples is experienced due to both noise and lack of penetration of the heat energy. This could have been due to decreased emissivity values. Moreover, the excitation method employed in this research does not comply with current industry standards for track clearances. Therefore, exploration of alternative excitation methods is recommended.

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Polymeric materials are popular in civil infrastructure due to their durability, strength, and resistance to corrosion and environmental degradation. However, the long-term performance of such materials in civil infrastructure is still being researched and investigated. This thesis will focus on the long-term performance of two civil infrastructure applications: 1) high-density polyethylene (HDPE) above-ground storage tanks (AST) and 2) silicone and self-healing polymeric concrete sealants. HDPE is a strong and durable plastic material that is commonly used to store a wide range of liquids ASTs. Currently, there are no established protocols for carrying out non-destructive testing (NDT) and assessment of HDPE ASTs for regular inspections, so this study investigated the viability of using infrared thermography (IRT) and ultrasonic testing (UT) for routine inspection. The study discovered that environmental parameters, such as temperature, wind, and humidity, can affect IRT accuracy, and that a proper heating-cooling cycle can aid in defect detection. Concrete joints in pavement systems are often susceptible to deterioration. They are engineered cracks that enable concrete slabs to expand and contract in response to temperature. They serve the dual purpose of preventing water infiltration and improving ride quality, while extending the pavement's service life. Bridge joints, in particular, are susceptible to water and liquid penetration, which can result in extensive damage over time. By applying sealants to these connections, concrete structures can be protected from such damage, thereby extending their service life. Consequently, a better comprehension of sealant performance and additional research are required to develop effective solutions to address these issues and ensure the safety and longevity of concrete structures prone to cracking. In this study, samples of the two commercial silicone joint sealants were sandwiched between Portland cement mortar specimens and tested using a specially designed fixture to imitate the fatigue performance of the joint under simulated field conditions. The results of the study indicated that the fatigue life of the two silicone sealants were different, with Sealant 2 showed better performance than Sealant 1. Both sealants exhibited adhesive failure initiating debonding along the weak interface of cement mortar cube and joint sealant. The results of commercial sealants are then compared with self-healing polysulfide sealants. This indicates that the performance of sealants can vary, and additional research may be required to develop effective solutions to address these issues. / Master of Science / Polymeric materials are widely utilized in construction due to their durability, strength, and resistance to corrosion and environmental degradation. However, the long-term performance of these materials in civil infrastructure is still under investigation. This thesis specifically examines the long-term performance of two civil infrastructure applications: 1) high-density polyethylene (HDPE) above-ground storage tanks (ASTs) and 2) silicone and self-healing polymeric concrete sealants. HDPE is a robust and durable plastic material commonly employed for storing various liquids in ASTs. Currently, there are no established protocols for conducting non-destructive testing (NDT) and assessment of HDPE ASTs during regular inspections. Therefore, this study investigates the viability of utilizing infrared thermography (IRT) and ultrasonic testing (UT) for routine inspections. The findings reveal that environmental factors such as temperature, wind, and humidity can impact the accuracy of IRT, and implementing a proper heating-cooling cycle can help in detecting such defects inside the tank structure. Concrete joints in pavement systems are susceptible to deterioration. These engineered cracks allow concrete slabs to expand and contract in response to temperature changes, while preventing water infiltration and enhancing ride quality, thus prolonging the pavement's service life. Bridge joints, in particular, are prone to water and liquid penetration, leading to extensive damage over time. Applying sealants to these connections safeguards concrete structures, extending their service life. Consequently, understanding sealant performance and conducting further research are crucial for developing effective solutions to address these issues and ensure the safety and durability of concrete structures prone to cracking. This study involves testing two commercially available silicone joint sealants by sandwiching them between Portland cement mortar specimens. A specially designed fixture is employed to simulate the fatigue performance of joints under field-like conditions. The performance of commercial sealants was also compared with self-healing polysulfide sealants. These findings highlight the variability in sealant performance, emphasizing the need for additional research to develop effective solutions.

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Statistics released in the fall 1989 showed that 238,357 (41%) of the nation's 577,710 bridges are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. New materials, such as fiber reinforced polymeric composites (FRP), are being suggested for use in bridge systems to solve some of the current problems. These materials are thought to be less affected by corrosive environmental conditions than conventional civil engineering materials. Therefore they may require less maintenance and provide longer life spans. More specifically, glass fiber reinforced vinyl ester matrix composites are considered possible replacements for deteriorating conventional bridge decks due to their durability, decreased weight, and relative affordability. In order to facilitate rapid acceptance of FRP structural components into the world of civil structural engineering, effective and efficient NDE techniques must be explored and documented in these situations. This thesis will discuss the use of Infrared Thermography (IRT) as a means of detecting debonds and voids caused by conditions encountered both in fabrication and in the field. As forced convective hot air is applied within the bridge deck, debonds between bridge deck components near the riding surface appear cold while imperfections near the bottom of the deck give rise to concentrations of heat. These variations in thermal propagation patterns are observed by the infrared camera and indicate possible structural deficiencies. Results of experimentation and thermal analyses from laboratory studies of a model bridge deck and some from in situ full-scale investigations are presented. / Master of Science

O controle ambiental nas instalações pecuárias é um fator importante a ser levado em consideração para promover o bem-estar e otimizar a produção animal. Como o clima brasileiro é predominantemente tropical, sistemas de resfriamento são essenciais em instalações pecuárias em todo o país. Diferentes sistemas de resfriamento estão disponíveis no mercado brasileiro e, apesar de possuírem o mesmo objetivo, de atenuar a temperatura dentro do galpão, podem ser percebidos pelos animais de modos diferentes. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi avaliar a percepção de suínos através de sua preferência em relação a diferentes sistemas de resfriamento do ambiente em uma câmara de preferência ambiental. Esta avaliação foi feita por meio do teste de preferência, que consiste em fornecer alternativas entre diferentes situações ou recursos, para que os animais transmitam suas respostas. Para tanto, foi utilizada uma câmara de preferência ambiental composta por quatro compartimentos interligados entre si por uma área neutra. Cada compartimento teve seu ambiente controlado independentemente, podendo assim fornecer, quatro diferentes tipos de sistemas de resfriamento: nebulização associada à ventilação forçada, ventilação forçada, aspersão e aspersão associada a ventilação forçada. Nesse estudo de preferência, dois grupos principais de suínos foram utilizados: os suínos-teste e os suínos-companhia. Os suínos-teste foram os animais com livre acesso aos distintos compartimentos da câmara e os suínos-companhia, por sua vez, ficaram confinados em seus respectivos sistemas. Para caracterização do ambiente no interior e no exterior da câmara, foram utilizados data-loggers para coleta das variáveis: temperatura ambiental, umidade relativa, temperatura de globo negro e ponto de orvalho; para determinação dos índices de conforto térmico: índice de temperatura de globo e umidade e entalpia. Também foi coletada a velocidade do ar com anemômetro digital. Foram verificadas medidas fisiológicas: frequência respiratória e temperatura de superfície corporal na região da nuca no horário das 14 horas. Para analisar o desempenho dos animais foi avaliado ganho de peso diário e conversão alimentar, além das medidas in vivo de espessura de toucinho, rendimento de carne magra e profundidade da área do lombo. Para avaliação do teste de preferência foram considerados dias que caracterizassem condições climáticas em que os sistemas de resfriamento estivessem em operação. Para isto vídeos coletaram e registraram as imagens e estas foram analisadas automaticamente e interpretadas como preferência por (ou rejeição de) certos ambientes através de frequência e tempo do suíno-teste em cada um dos ambientes. A câmara conseguiu atender os valores recomendados para o índice de temperatura de globo e umidade, temperatura ambiental e umidade relativa ao longo dos períodos do dia, os valores obtidos para entalpia estiveram acima do recomendado na literatura. Porém o desempenho da câmara foi satisfatório, uma vez que as medidas fisiológicas de frequência respiratória e temperatura superficial, e as variáveis de desempenho indicaram que os animais estavam em conforto térmico e obtiveram medidas de espessura de toucinho, rendimento de carne magra e profundidade da área do lombo característicos para a categoria. Em relação à preferência dos suínos-teste, observou-se a maior frequência de permanência nos sistemas de aspersão (40%) e aspersão associada à ventilação forçada (34,7%). Assim os resultados obtidos validaram o uso da câmara de preferência ambiental para experimentação com suínos a fim de verificar sua preferência em relação a diferentes ambientes térmicos com diferentes sistemas de resfriamento. / Environmental control in livestock buildings is an important factor to be taken into account to promote the welfare and optimize the animal production. As the Brazilian climate is predominantly tropical, cooling systems are essential in animal facilities across the country. Different cooling systems are available in the Brazilian market and, despite having the same goal, to mitigate the temperature inside the shed, they can be perceived by the animals in different ways. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of pigs through their preference in relation to the different environment of the cooling systems in an environmental preference chamber. This assessment was made by the preference test, which is to provide alternatives between different situations or resources, so that the animals transmit their responses. An environmental preference chamber was used, and consisted of four compartments connected to each other by a neutral area. Each compartment has its environmental conditions controlled independently, and may thus provide four different types of cooling system: nebulizer associated to forced ventilation, forced ventilation, sprinkler and sprinkler associated to forced ventilation. In this preference study, two main groups of pigs were used: the test-pigs and companion-pigs. The test-pigs were the animals with free access to the chamber and companion-pigs, in turn, were confined in their respective systems. To characterize the environment inside and outside the chamber, data-loggers were used to collect the variables: ambient temperature, relative humidity, black globe temperature and dew point; to determine the levels of index thermal comfort: globe temperature and humidity index and enthalpy. The air speed with digital anemometer also was collected. Physiological measures were also registered: respiratory rate and body surface temperature in the neck region in the schedule at 2pm. Daily gain and feed conversion were evaluated to analyze the performance of the animals in addition to the measures in vivo backfat thickness, lean yield and depth of loin area. The preference test considered days that characterize climatic conditions in which the cooling systems were in operation. The video images were collected and recorded and they were automatically analyzed and interpreted as a preference (or rejection) of certain environments through the frequency and time that test-pig in each environment. The environmental preference chamber conditions attended the recommended values for globe temperature and humidity index, ambient temperature and relative humidity over the periods of the day, and the values obtained for enthalpy were slightly above the recommended literature. The chamber performance was satisfactory since the physiological measures respiratory rate and body surface temperature and the performance variables indicated that the animals were in thermal comfort and obtained backfat thickness, lean yield and depth of loin area measures, characteristic for the category. Regarding the preference of the test-pigs, the highest frequency was observed in sprinkler (40%) and sprinkler associated to forced ventilation (34,7%) systems. Thus the results validated the use of the environmental preference chamber for experimentation with pigs in order to verify their perception to different thermal environments with different cooling systems.

Mudanças causadas pela industrialização dos canteiros de obra geram incompatibilidades executivas entre sistemas conflitantes e ininterrupção de controles com significativa variabilidade, tal como o uso do fio de prumo para controle geométrico das estruturas de concreto, responsável por acúmulo de erros com reflexo no consumo de matérias e no aumento de defeitos em revestimentos de fachada. Como alternativa, este trabalho busca colaborar com a ampliação do uso das técnicas não destrutivas no controle preventivo e corretivo das edificações em substituição aos tradicionais ensaios destrutivos, tornando o processo mais simples e confiável, além de proporcionar uma recuperação mais rápida e econômica. Para isso, analisou - através de um estudo de caso - a aplicação da tecnologia de escaneamento 3D laser para mapear a planicidade superficial da fachada de um edifício e, de forma inédita, para quantificar o volume de argamassa por intermédio da análise dos modelos 3D gerados por softwares de mercado; e através das etapas experimentais de laboratório, campo e in situ, analisou o potencial da termografia infravermelha na identificação e no mapeamento de fissuras e descolamentos ocultos nos revestimentos de argamassa e cerâmico, aplicando abordagens de aquecimento ativa ou passiva e resfriamento natural ou forçado. Os resultados do escaneamento mostraram a viabilidade da técnica como solução para identificar com precisão as áreas críticas da fachada sobre a estrutura de concreto periférica e alvenaria e, a partir da volumetria, calcular o impacto financeiro associado às sobrespessuras de argamassa nas áreas críticas comparativamente a reduções de espessura após tratamento dessas áreas. Por fim, a termografia identificou quanto à forma, tamanho e posição os defeitos de fissura e descolamento estudados, identificou influências intrínsecas ao processo de uso da tecnologia in situ e uso de recursos do equipamento para melhor visualização dos defeitos. / Changes caused by industrialization of construction sites generate executive incompatibilities between conflicting systems and uninterrupted controls with significant variability, such as the use of a plumb line for geometric control of concrete structures, responsible for error buildup with reflection in the consumption of materials and the increase of defects on facade coatings. Alternatively, this work seeks to collaborate with the expanded use of non-destructive techniques in preventive and corrective control of buildings to replace the traditional destructive testing, making the most simple and reliable process, in addition to providing a faster and economic recovery. For this analyzed by a case study the application of 3D laser scanning technology to map the surface flatness of the facade of a building, and unprecedentedly to quantify the amount of mortar through the analysis of 3D models generated by software market; and through the experimental stages of laboratory, field and in site, examined the potential of infrared thermography in the identification and mapping of hidden cracks and detachments in mortar coatings and ceramic tile, applying active or passive heating and natural cooling or forced cooling. The results of the scan showed the technical viability as a solution to accurately identify the critical areas of the facade on the peripheral concrete structure and masonry and from the volumes, calculate the financial impact associated with extra thick grout in critical areas compared the thickness reductions after treatment of these areas. Finally, thermography identified as the shape, size and position the cleft defects and detachment studied, identified influences the use of technology in situ and use of equipment resources to better visualization of defects.

Ce travail se propose de caractériser thermiquement des composites à microstructures complexes. Il s’agit de développer des méthodes d’estimation permettant d’identifier les propriétés thermiques des différentes phases en présence, ainsi que celles associées à leurs interfaces, à partir de mesures issues de la thermographie infrarouge. Cette estimation paramétrique nécessite la connaissance au préalable de la structure géométrique de l’échantillon. Le premier objectif concerne donc l’identification de la structure de l’échantillon testé par la discrimination des différentes phases et interfaces. Une fois la structure de l’échantillon connue, le second objectif est l’identification des paramètres thermiques des différents constituants ainsi que ceux de leurs interfaces. On se propose d’exploiter deux tests spécifiques utilisant le même dispositif expérimental. Deux méthodes mathématiques différentes ont été développées et utilisées pour exploiter les mesures de champ issues du premier test et permettre de retrouver la microstructure de l’échantillon. La première est fondée sur la décomposition en valeurs singulières des données de températures recueillies. Il est montré que cette méthode permet d’obtenir des représentations de la microstructure de très bonne qualité à partir de mesures même fortement bruitées. La seconde méthode permet de raffiner les résultats obtenus à l’aide de la méthode précédente. Elle repose sur la résolution d’un problème d’optimisation sous contraintes en exploitant la technique dite Level-Set pour identifier les frontières des différents constituants de l’échantillon. L’étape d’identification des propriétés thermiques des constituants et des interfaces exploite les mesures de champs issues du second test expérimental. La méthode développée, la SVD-FT combine des techniques de décompositions en valeurs singulières avec desfonctions tests particulières pour dériver des estimateurs linéaires des propriétés recherchées.Cette méthode permet de limiter les effets du bruit de mesure sur la qualité de l’estimation et de s’affranchir des opérations de filtrage des données. / This work reports on the thermal characterization of composites with a complex microstructure. It aims at developping mathematical methods to identify the thermal properties of the constituants and thoses associate at their interfaces. The first step consistsin discriminating the microstructure of the sample to be tested. Then, when the sample structure is known, the second step consists in estimating the thermal parameters of the different phases and those at their interfaces. One experimental device has been set up to realize those two steps. Two mathematical methods have been developped and used to discriminate the microstructure based on the images of the sample recorded bu an infrared camera. The first method is based on the singular value decomposition of the temperature data. It has been shown that this method gives a very good representation of the microstructure even with very noisy data. The second method allows to refine the results obtained by the first one. This method is based on the resolution of an optimization problem under constraints and use a Level-Set technic to identify the boundary of each phase. To estimate the thermal properties of each phase and its interface, the infrared images of the second experiment have been used. The SVD-FT method developed in this work combines the singular values decomposition technic with particular tests functions to derive linear estimat or for the thermal properties. As a result, a significant amplification of the signal/noise ratios is reached.