Uso da termografia infravermelha como ferramenta complementar de diagnóstico em pavimentos flexíveis urbanos

Abstract

This study, entitled "Use of Infrared Thermography as a Complementary Diagnostic Tool in Urban Flexible Pavements", aims to evaluate the effectiveness of infrared thermography in the identification of defects and potential moisture-affected areas in urban flexible pavements through a case study conducted in the city of Macapá, Amapá, Brazil. The research is characterized as qualitative and was developed based on a comparative analysis between conventional visual inspection and thermographic images obtained in the field. The adopted methodology involved a literature review, definition of the study area, visual inspection of pavement conditions, conventional photographic documentation, and thermal image acquisition using an infrared camera. Two distinct sections of urban roads were analyzed: one presenting evident pavement defects and another recently resurfaced section, allowing a comparison of the thermal behavior between deteriorated and intact surfaces. The results showed that pavements with defects exhibit greater thermal variability, associated with the presence of moisture, structural discontinuities, and material heterogeneity, whereas pavements in better condition present a more uniform thermal pattern, characterized by higher temperatures and homogeneous heat distribution. Furthermore, areas with water accumulation exhibited lower temperatures, indicating possible deficiencies in surface drainage and greater susceptibility to pavement deterioration. Therefore, it can be concluded that infrared thermography proved to be an effective complementary diagnostic, enabling the identification of potentially compromised areas, including those in the early stages of deterioration. Its application contributes to the planning of preventive maintenance actions, promoting the durability, performance, and preservation of urban pavements.