ASTM D4788-03(2022)

Standard Test Method for Detecting Delaminations in Bridge Decks Using Infrared Thermography

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method may be used in conjunction with other test methods in determining the general condition of a bridge deck.  
4.2 Areas indicated as delaminated on overlaid bridge decks may be an indication of lack of bond between the overlay and the underlying bridge deck. This test method may be used in determining specific areas of delaminations requiring repair.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of delaminations in portland-cement concrete bridge decks using infrared thermography. This test method is intended for use on exposed and overlaid concrete bridge decks.  
1.2 A Precision and Bias statement has not been developed at this time. Therefore, this standard should not be used for acceptance or rejection of a material for purchasing purposes.
Note 1: This test method can be used on asphalt or concrete overlays as thick as 4 in. (100 mm).  
1.3 This test method uses an imaging infrared scanner and video recorder, mounted on a vehicle, to detect delaminations and debonded areas on bridge decks and to record the information.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Apr-2022
• ICS: 93.040 - Bridge construction
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.32 - Bridges and Structures

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D4580-03(2012) - Standard Practice for Measuring Delaminations in Concrete Bridge Decks by Sounding
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM D4580-03(2007) - Standard Practice for Measuring Delaminations in Concrete Bridge Decks by Sounding
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2007
• Refers: ASTM D4580-03 - Standard Practice for Measuring Delaminations in Concrete Bridge Decks by Sounding
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Refers: ASTM D4580-02 - Standard Practice for Measuring Delaminations in Concrete Bridge Decks by Sounding
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Refers: ASTM D4580-86(1997) - Standard Practice for Measuring Delaminations in Concrete Bridge Decks by Sounding
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002

Overview

ASTM D4788-03(2022) - Standard Test Method for Detecting Delaminations in Bridge Decks Using Infrared Thermography covers a specialized method for identifying delaminated and debonded areas within portland-cement concrete bridge decks. This widely recognized ASTM standard applies to both exposed and overlaid concrete bridge decks, offering a non-destructive evaluation technique that utilizes a vehicle-mounted imaging infrared scanner and video recorder. The presence of delaminations often indicates deterioration or a lack of bond within the bridge deck, signifying sections that may require detailed inspection or repair. This standard supports bridge maintenance planning and infrastructure asset management by mapping and quantifying damaged areas efficiently using infrared thermography.

Key Topics

• Infrared Thermography for Bridge Decks: The core technique uses an imaging infrared scanner capable of detecting temperature differentials between intact and delaminated concrete. The scanner, mounted on a specially equipped vehicle, captures thermal images as it traverses the bridge deck.
• Detection of Delamination and Debonding: Delaminations become visible as distinct thermal anomalies, which appear differently depending on day or night testing and are captured for later analysis.
• Applicability to Overlays: The test is effective for concrete decks covered with asphalt or concrete overlays up to 4 inches (100 mm) thick.
• Data Collection and Mapping: The method produces a thermal map of the bridge deck, quantifying delaminated areas and providing a plan view for maintenance prioritization.
• Environmental and Operational Constraints: Successful testing requires specific weather conditions, such as adequate temperature differentials and sunshine. Testing should not be conducted at freezing temperatures or under high winds.
• Complementary Methods: The standard is often used alongside other methods like sonic testing or coring to confirm delamination, especially in ambiguous cases.

Applications

• Bridge Inspection and Maintenance Planning: By efficiently detecting sub-surface delaminations, this standard supports preventive maintenance strategies, helping owners prioritize repairs and allocate resources effectively.
• Condition Assessment of Concrete Bridge Decks: Provides non-destructive evaluation, giving engineers and inspectors a rapid overview of deck health over large bridge structures.
• Quality Control After Repairs: Verifies the integrity of overlays or repaired sections, aiding assessment post-maintenance.
• Asset Management for Transportation Agencies: Delivers valuable data for long-term asset planning, preservation, and budgeting.
• Supporting Safety and Infrastructure Longevity: Early detection of delaminations reduces the risk of structural failures, prolonging the service life of critical transport infrastructure.

Related Standards

• ASTM D4580 - Practice for Measuring Delaminations in Concrete Bridge Decks by Sounding: Frequently used in conjunction with D4788 to confirm thermal anomalies.
• ASTM C876 - Standard Test Method for Corrosion Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete: Useful in broader bridge deck evaluations.
• ASTM C1074 - Standard Practice for Estimating Concrete Strength by the Maturity Method: Employed in comprehensive deck analysis.
• ISO 6784 - International guidelines for assessing thermal properties in building and civil engineering structures.

Keywords: infrared thermography, bridge deck delamination, non-destructive testing, ASTM D4788, concrete inspection, civil infrastructure, bridge maintenance, thermal mapping, condition assessment, transportation asset management

By following ASTM D4788-03(2022), transportation agencies and engineering firms can implement a reliable, standardized approach for detecting, mapping, and prioritizing the repair of deteriorated areas in bridge decks, ensuring safer and longer-lasting infrastructure.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4788 − 03 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Detecting Delaminations in Bridge Decks Using Infrared
Thermography
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4788; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the determination of delamina-
D4580 Practice for Measuring Delaminations in Concrete
tions in portland-cement concrete bridge decks using infrared
Bridge Decks by Sounding
thermography. This test method is intended for use on exposed
and overlaid concrete bridge decks.
3. Summary of Test Method
1.2 A Precision and Bias statement has not been developed
3.1 The vehicle-mounted infrared scanner and video re-
at this time. Therefore, this standard should not be used for
corder are driven over the center of each lane of a bridge deck.
acceptance or rejection of a material for purchasing purposes.
The data from the scanner is recorded on video tape. Delami-
nations appear as white or “hot” areas on a gray or “cooler”
NOTE 1—This test method can be used on asphalt or concrete overlays
as thick as 4 in. (100 mm).
background in the video image on a monochrome scanner
system during daytime testing. During nighttime testing, the
1.3 This test method uses an imaging infrared scanner and
delaminations will appear as dark or “cooler” areas on a white
video recorder, mounted on a vehicle, to detect delaminations
or “warmer” background. Delaminations will appear as the
and debonded areas on bridge decks and to record the
warmer colors on color scanner systems during daytime
information.
testing. Calibration of thermal anomalies using sounding tech-
niques are used to determine the colors associated with
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical delaminations.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.2 The conventional video image is used to edit the
and are not considered standard.
infrared image and separate those patches or surface defects
that may be present and may appear as hot areas.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.3 The video recording is used to map the delaminated
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
areas at a suitable scale.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Significance and Use
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 This test method may be used in conjunction with other
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
test methods in determining the general condition of a bridge
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
deck.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.2 Areas indicated as delaminated on overlaid bridge decks
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
may be an indication of lack of bond between the overlay and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
the underlying bridge deck. This test method may be used in
determining specific areas of delaminations requiring repair.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.32 on
Bridges and Structures. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 15, 2022. Published April 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4788 – 03 (2013). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D4788-03R22. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4788 − 03 (2022)
5. Apparatus reflected heat or trapped hot air. It may be necessary to forego
infrared thermography testing in such areas.
5.1 General—In order to collect data on the areal extent and
6.7 While data can be collected any time of the year, the
location of the delaminations, the following apparatus is
required: magnitude of∆ will be smaller during the winter months, and
t
may preclude the testing of bridge decks. Testing shall not be
5.1.1 Infrared Scanner—An imaging infrared scanner hav-
ing a minimum thermal resolution of 0.2 °C under ambient air carried out when ambient air temperatures are less than 32 °F
(0 °C) as ice in delaminations will cause false readings. As a
conditions. The scanner shall be mounted on the front of the
vehicle at a height sufficient to allow a minimum image width guide, an ambient temperature rise of 20 °F with4hofsunand
winds less than 15 mph (24 km/h) will allow accurate data
of 14 ft (4.3 m). The scanner shall be capable of producing a
television-compatible image. collection on portland-cement concrete surfaces during winter
months. On asphalt-covered decks, an ambient air temperature
5.1.2 Video Recorders, capable of reproducing a thermal
imageoraconventionalvideoimage.Eachdeviceshallhaveat riseof20 °Fwithatleast6hofsunandwindslessthan15mph
(24 km/h) are necessary for winter use of this procedure.
least one audio channel available and provide a minimum
resolution of 240 lines per inch. Two are required.
6.8 Survey the entire bridge deck by making one pass per
5.1.3 Video Camera—Aconventional video camera capable
lane. When shoulder areas are wider than 3 ft (1 m) make a
of viewing a minimum image of 14 ft (4.3 m) and producing a
se
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