Application of nondestructive evaluation techniques on concrete dams

Many mining and civil engineering structures are showing signs of deterioration due to various factors. In recent years, the heavy cost of repairs of concrete infrastructures has been reduced by using nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques to pinpoint problem areas. This paper presents the theoretical and practical aspects of the Miniature Seismic Reflection (MSR) system for the evaluation of concrete dams. It is shown that MSR could be capable of evaluating the profile of cracks in concrete and determining the quality of concrete of a dam from one available face. These experiments are part of a long term research project between McGill University and the “Institut de Recherche en Électricité d'Hydro-Québec (IREQ)” on the application of the MSR system for the evaluation of concrete dams and the possibility of finding cracks in these structures by seismic nondestructive methods.