ABSTRACT
The rise in prestressed reinforced concrete bridges surpassing their projected lifespan has spurred increased attention from infrastructure managers and authorities toward monitoring and maintenance. Accurate understanding of bridge degradation is pivotal for efficient planning and prioritizing maintenance. According to several guidelines, the prestressing system, central in risk assessment and maintenance, demands careful evaluation. Said guidelines also suggest employing non-destructive, semi-destructive, and destructive tests to assess this system’s condition. Though numerous innovative investigation techniques exist, their efficacy remains debated, necessitating further exploration. This study focuses on validating the efficacy of three non-destructive tests (NDTs): Digital Radiography, Ground Penetration Radar, and Reflectometric Impulse Measurement Test, conducted on the Alveo Vecchio viaduct—a decommissioned bridge repurposed as a testing site. Classification analyses between NDTs results and observed defect intensity during controlled beam demolition offer insights into their accuracy. This research contributes substantially to understanding the precision of non-destructive tests.
