Remote Imaging Inspection of Post-Tensioned Concrete Tendon Terminations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inspecting and documenting tendon terminations in post-tensioned concrete structures is difficult, time-consuming, and hazardous due to the recessed grout pockets on exterior surfaces of partially constructed buildings, which makes verifying the proper termination length challenging.
Innovation Solution
An image-capture inspection and documentation apparatus with a remote imaging system, including a camera platform, digital imaging device, light unit, and linear measuring device, allows for capturing images of tendon terminations within recessed grout pockets, verifying the termination distance and generating digital images with location codes for documentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection of tendon terminations is performed in recessed grout pockets on exterior surfaces of partially constructed buildings, then verification of proper termination length can be achieved, but the inspection process becomes hazardous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
A camera platform mounted on an elongate support pole serves as an intermediary device, allowing the operator to capture images of tendon terminations in recessed grout pockets without direct manual inspection. The support pole extends the operator's reach safely, while the camera platform captures visual documentation of the termination points, eliminating the need for hazardous close-contact inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual inspection process is replaced with a remote imaging system. Instead of physically reaching into recessed grout pockets to verify tendon terminations, the system uses a camera mounted on an extended platform to capture images, which are then transmitted to a remote display device for verification. This substitutes mechanical manual inspection with an optical-electronic system.
2Loss of information
If manual inspection of tendon terminations is performed in recessed grout pockets, then documentation of compliance can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manually measuring and documenting each tendon termination, the system creates visual copies (images) of the terminations using a camera. These images serve as documentation of compliance and can be transmitted remotely for verification. This copying approach significantly reduces the time required compared to manual measurement and documentation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-consuming manual processes of measuring, recording, and verifying tendon terminations are replaced with automated image capture and electronic transmission. The camera platform captures images that are then wirelessly transmitted to remote devices, eliminating the need for time-intensive manual documentation procedures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the operator uses a remote imaging system with an elongate support pole, then safe verification of tendon terminations is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into distinct functional modules: an elongate support pole for extension, a camera platform for image capture, and a remote display device for verification. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture, making the complex device more manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera platform serves multiple functions: it houses the camera for image capture, provides a stable mounting position on the support pole, and can be positioned at various heights and angles to access different grout pockets. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An image-capture inspection and documentation system is provided to capture images of post-tensioned concrete anchorage structures to verify and document proper tendon terminations in post-tensioned concrete structures. A method is disclosed for using such an image-capture inspection system to inspect, verify, and document the tendon tail-end terminations within recessed grout pockets for multiple anchorage locations while generating a digital image of each location with visual indications for both tendon tail-end termination and anchorage location identification for each such location.