CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND FORMULATION OF STRATEGY FOR REHABILITATION OF INDUCED DRAUGHT COOLING TOWER (IDCT) WALLS

Bhaskar Sangoju, Saptarshi Sasmal, Srinivas V, Sivasubramanian. K, Ramanjaneyulu. K

Abstract: Concrete is considered as a durable material but it is still potentially vulnerable to deterioration, unless certain precautions are taken. Number of tests, either non-destructive testing (NDT) or partially destructive testing (PDT) are to be carried out to assess the extent of deterioration and to estimate the quality/strength of concrete, before formulating any repair measures. This paper discusses the condition assessment of induced draught cooling tower (IDCT) walls by non-destructive and partially destructive testing methods. The importance and significance of different tests employed to assess the present condition of IDCT walls are highlighted. The assessment consists of visual inspection, NDT & PDT using ultrasonic pulse velocity tester, IR Thermography, half-cell potential measurement, concrete powder sample collection, core samples extraction, etc. The in-situ investigations are planned in such a way that both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the mechanical and durability parameters of the cooling tower (CT) walls of IDCT can be assessed. Based on the investigations and interpretation of test results, the prevailing condition of the IDCT walls has been evaluated. Repair and rehabilitation measures have been suggested to improve the quality and integrity of concrete which would enhance the service life of the wall panels of IDCT.

Keywords: Condition assessment, CT walls, deterioration, NDT, PDT, IRT, rehabilitation

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2015.0425075