Abstract
Segregation remains one of the major problems for traditional and self-compacting concrete. The consequences of this pathology are numerous and may affect the long-term properties of the structures. In order to ensure the expected characteristics of the concrete, it is essential to be able to check its homogeneity.
Some tests allow the checking of the fresh concrete properties at the concrete mixing plant, but there is at the present time no method to assess concrete segregation on site.
The development of a quick and low disturbance method allowing quantification of the segregation phenomenon automatically within structures constitutes an advance in the pathology detection area. The method presented here relies on the use of geoendoscopy and automatic image processing techniques. After a short presentation of the tools and the auscultation methodology, the image processing techniques developed in order to measure the concrete homogeneity and to control the concrete particle size distribution are exposed. Results obtained with this methodology in laboratory experiments are then compared with those obtained with the traditional video counting technology. Finally, the last part is devoted to the application of this method to a real self-compacting concrete structure.
