ISSN: 0149-6123
Page Count: 5

Modification of the X-Radiography Technique to Include a Contrast Agent for Identifying and Studying Microcracking in Concrete
Hover, KC
Associate professor, Cornell University, NY

Najjar, WS
Assistant professor, Northeastern University, MA

Abstract

The utility of X-radiography for the study of microcracking in concrete is significantly enhanced by impregnating cracks and voids with a lead-nitrate contrast agent. When an X-ray flux is passed through a polished concrete specimen, X-rays are readily attenuated by the contrast agent in the cracks, which produces a sharp tonal contrast in the resulting radiograph between cracks and surrounding concrete. Radiographs obtained using this technique are compared with more conventional X-ray images of the same specimens. This method is similar in concept to neutron radiography, in which a neutron-attenuating contrast agent is used for enhancing crack images.

Keywords:
concrete (materials), contrast agent, microcracking (cracking, fracturing), testing, X-radiography

Paper ID: CCA10026J
DOI: 10.1520/CCA10026J
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