Thermographic investigation for characterization of cracks in heating and cooling flux: laboratory studies

Abstract

Cracking can be investigated by infrared thermography, as defects on a surface have different temperatures compared to regions without defects. The temperature of the crack depends on its dimensions, opening and depth, which can be identified by thermography. The possibility of classifying crack damage according to different depths by thermography in heating and cooling regimes and indicating which conditions are most suitable for identifying cracks is evaluated. It is proposed to observe the temperature evolution during the heating and cooling of a mortar slab that has cracks with different depths. The temperature variation of the plate during heating and cooling is monitored by thermograms and thermocouples present on the surface and interior of the plate in regions close to the cracks. It is identified, through the application of Delta-T thermographic contrast, that cracks of greater depth have a greater Delta-T, in modulus, during heating, while cracks of shallower depth have a greater Delta-T during cooling. Cracks are best identified during the cooling phase, as shallower cracks are not identified at the end of heating.

Keywords:
Crack; Mortar; Thermography; Delta-T; Damage