Facades inspection with infrared thermography: cracks evaluation

Abstract

Infrared thermography is an evaluation technique that helps to identify anomalies and can provide information on their incidence and severity. The aim of this study is to apply quantitative thermography to study a case of severe cracks in facade analyzing the evolution of temperatures and Delta-T. The temperature evolution was studied over a day. There was sun incidence occurring during part of the day, allowing to calculate and assess the evolution of the associated temperatures. Thermograms were acquired hourly during the study period. The highest temperatures were observed at 12:00 noon, and the larger Delta-T between 10:00 and 12:00. There were differences between the Delta-T profiles among the three regions studied. The best time for analysis is when Delta-T is higher. Cracks with higher Delta-T were considered more degraded, and generalized branched cracks did not allow a comparative conclusion.