# US 9,436,783 B2 · Method and system for estimating degradation and durability of concrete structures and asset management system making use of same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,436,783 B2 - Document ID: US9436783B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/152,754 - Filed: 2014-01-10 - Published: 2014-09-04 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-01 - Assignees: Simco Technologies Inc. - Applicants: Simco Technologies Inc. - Inventors: Jacques Marchand; Etienne Gregoire; Eric Samson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9436783B2 ## CPC - G06F 30/20: Design optimisation, verification or simulation (optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30) - G01N 21/95: characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined (G01N21/89 - G01N21/91, G01N21/94 take precedence) - G01N 33/383: {Concrete or cement} - G06F 2111/08: Probabilistic or stochastic CAD - G06F 2119/02: Reliability analysis or reliability optimisation; Failure analysis, e.g. worst case scenario performance, failure mode and effects analysis [FMEA] - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A method, system and computer program product for estimating degradation and durability characteristics of a reinforced concrete structure are provided. Location-dependent information conveying structural information associated with different locations along the concrete structure is received, the location-dependent information having been obtained by applying a non-destructive testing (NDT) process to the concrete structure. The location-dependent information is processed in combination with information conveying material properties and information conveying estimated environmental conditions to derive concrete degradation simulation data conveying estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with the different locations along the concrete structure. A signal is then released, causing the estimated degradation and durability characteristics of the concrete structure to be displayed on a display device. Aspects of the proposed approach may be integrated into concrete asset managing systems and be used to assist in managing, including planning maintenance activities in connection with, reinforced concrete structures such as bridges, roadways, ports and the like. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for estimating degradation and durability characteristics of a concrete structure under test, the concrete structure under test being a reinforced concrete structure, the method being implemented by a system including at least one programmable processor and comprising: a) receiving location-dependent information associated with the concrete structure under test and conveying structural information associated with different locations along the concrete structure under test, the location-dependent information having been obtained by applying a non-destructive testing (NDT) process to the concrete structure under test; b) processing the location-dependent information associated with the concrete structure under test in combination with: i) information conveying material properties associated with the concrete structure under test; and ii) information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected; the processing being for deriving concrete degradation simulation data, the derived concrete degradation simulation data information conveying estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with at least some of the different locations along the concrete structure under test; c) releasing a signal for causing the estimated degradation and durability characteristics of the concrete structure under test to be displayed on a display device in communication with the system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the concrete degradation simulation data conveys current estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with the different locations along the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the concrete degradation simulation data conveys an evolution over a time period of the estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with the different locations along the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the time period is at least 10 years. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method as defined in claim 4, wherein the time period is at least 25 years. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the time period is at least 50 years. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the time period is specified by a user of the system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A method as defined in claim 7, said method comprising receiving from a user interface device information conveying the time period. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the information conveying material properties associated with the concrete structure is derived based on analysis applied to a set of cores extracted from the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected conveys temperature information. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected conveys information related to humidity levels. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected conveys information related to exposure to aggressive agents. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the structural information conveyed by the location-dependent information convey a state of the materials out of which the concrete structure under test is built. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the structural information associated with different locations along the concrete structure under test and conveyed by the location-dependent information includes at least one of: location and surface area of delaminated material; location and quantity of reinforcing steel; location of current corrosion activity; location of voids; and location and depth of existing repaired portions of the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the NDT process applied to derive the location-dependent information associated with the concrete structure under test includes using ground penetrating radar on the different locations along the concrete structure under test to derive the location-dependent information. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the concrete structure under test is comprised in part of concrete material including cement. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the concrete structure under test is a bridge. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the concrete structure under test includes a roadway. ### Claim 19 A system for estimating degradation and durability characteristics of a concrete structure under test, the concrete structure under test being a reinforced concrete structure, said system comprising: a) a set of inputs for receiving information associated with the concrete structure under test; b) a concrete degradation simulation unit for processing the information received at the set of inputs for estimating degradation and durability characteristics of the concrete structure under test, said concrete degradation simulation unit being programmed for: i) receiving through the set of inputs location-dependent information associated with the concrete structure under test and conveying structural information associated with different locations along the concrete structure under test, the location-dependent information having been obtained by applying a non-destructive testing (NDT) process to the concrete structure under test; ii) processing the location-dependent information associated with the concrete structure under test in combination with: (1) information conveying material properties associated with the concrete structure under test; and (2) information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected; the processing being for deriving concrete degradation simulation data, the derived concrete degradation simulation data information conveying estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with at least some of the different locations along the concrete structure under test; iii) releasing a result signal conveying the estimated degradation and durability characteristics of the concrete structure under test; c) a display device for displaying information conveying degradation and durability characteristics of the concrete structure under test based on the result signal released by the concrete degradation simulation unit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the concrete degradation simulation data conveys current estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with the different locations along the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the concrete degradation simulation data conveys an evolution over a time period of the estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with the different locations along the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A system as defined in claim 21, wherein the time period is specified by a user of the system. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) A system as defined in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the information conveying material properties associated with the concrete structure is derived based on analysis applied to a set of cores extracted from the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected conveys temperature information. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected conveys information related to humidity levels. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the structural information associated with different locations along the concrete structure under test and conveyed by the location-dependent information includes at least one of: location and surface area of delaminated material; location and quantity of reinforcing steel; location of current corrosion activity; location of voids; and location and depth of existing repaired portions of the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the NDT process applied to derive the location-dependent information associated with the concrete structure under test includes using ground penetrating radar on the different locations along the concrete structure under test to derive the location-dependent information. ### Claim 28 (depends on 19) A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the concrete structure under test is comprised in part of concrete material including cement. ### Claim 29 (depends on 19) A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the concrete structure under test is a bridge. ### Claim 30 (depends on 19) A system as defined in claim 19, wherein the concrete structure under test includes a roadway. ### Claim 31 A computer program product, tangibly stored on one or more tangible computer readable storage media, for estimating degradation and durability characteristics of reinforced concrete structures, the computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a programmable system including at least one programmable processor to perform operations, said operations comprising: a) receiving location-dependent information associated with the concrete structure under test and conveying structural information associated with different locations along the concrete structure under test, the location-dependent information having been obtained by applying a non-destructive testing (NDT) process to the concrete structure under test; b) processing the location-dependent information associated with the concrete structure under test in combination with: i) information conveying material properties associated with the concrete structure under test; and ii) information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected; the processing being for deriving concrete degradation simulation data, the derived concrete degradation simulation data information conveying estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with at least some of the different locations along the concrete structure under test; c) releasing a signal for causing the estimated degradation and durability characteristics of the concrete structure under test to be displayed on a display device in communication with the system. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the concrete degradation simulation data conveys current estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with the different locations along the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the concrete degradation simulation data conveys an evolution over a time period of the estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with the different locations along the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A computer program product as defined in claim 33, wherein the time period is specified by a user of the system. ### Claim 35 (depends on 24) A computer program product as defined in claim 24, said operations further comprise receiving from a user interface device information conveying the time period. ### Claim 36 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein at least a portion of the information conveying material properties associated with the concrete structure is derived based on analysis applied to a set of cores extracted from the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 37 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected conveys temperature information. ### Claim 38 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected conveys information related to humidity levels. ### Claim 39 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the information conveying estimated environmental conditions to which the concrete structure under test is subjected conveys information related to exposure to aggressive agents. ### Claim 40 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the structural information conveyed by the location-dependent information conveys a state of the materials out of which the concrete structure under test is built. ### Claim 41 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the structural information associated with different locations along the concrete structure under test and conveyed by the location-dependent information includes at least one of: location and surface area of delaminated material; location and quantity of reinforcing steel; location of current corrosion activity; location of voids; and location and depth of existing repaired portions of the concrete structure under test. ### Claim 42 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the NDT process applied to derive the location-dependent information associated with the concrete structure under test includes using ground penetrating radar on the different locations along the concrete structure under test to derive the location-dependent information. ### Claim 43 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the concrete structure under test is comprised in part of concrete material including cement. ### Claim 44 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the concrete structure under test is a bridge. ### Claim 45 (depends on 31) A computer program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the concrete structure under test includes a roadway. ### Claim 46 (depends on 1) Use of a method as defined in claim 1 in an asset managing system for estimating degradation and durability characteristics of a reinforced concrete structure, wherein the reinforced concrete structure is one of a bridge, a port and a roadway.