Feasibility Study of Digital Image Correlation in Determining Strains in Concrete Exposed to Fire

Abstract

Concrete is prone to spalling when exposed to fire. During fire tests, the strains of concrete elements are hard to identify, both from the fire-exposed face and the non-exposed face. This paper presents a field experiment which employed the original CivEng digital image correlation (DIC) method developed at the Cracow University of Technology to measure the strain fields of elements exposed to heating by a pin-point gas burner. The paper presents experimental proof that it is possible to analyze the deformation of both unheated and fire-exposed sides of heated concrete by the DIC method. The strain fields, crack patterns and modes of crack development are presented. The study shows the encouraging results of employing the DIC method to test concrete behavior under fire attack.

Progress and Trends in Image Processing Applications in Civil Engineering: Opportunities and Challenges

“…Wei et al carried out feasibility studies on using 3D imaging for construction and infrastructure management [24]. Likewise, Mróz et al (2020) modelled the usefulness of digital image correlation (DIC), for testing concrete's susceptibility to fire spalling [25]. While Zhang et al verified the feasibility of DIC for quantifying displacement and strain fields in gravel particle breakage process under uniaxial process [26], del Rey Castillo et al (2019) modelled the behaviour of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) for obtaining displacement and strain field with DIC, where displacement measurement was satisfactory, but strain correlation showed dependency on direction of fibers (coincident with parallel direction of fibers and divergent for any other direction) [27].…”

2D Digital Image Correlation and Region-Based Convolutional Neural Network in Monitoring and Evaluation of Surface Cracks in Concrete Structural Elements

“…DIC methods have also been used for assessment of concrete crack development. Helm in [13] shown how to use DIC for assessment of specimens with multiple growing cracks. Similarly, Rui et al in [14] presented DIC-based measurement system of crack generation and evolution during static testing of concrete sleepers.…”

“…DIC have been applied for measuring displacements and strains of specimens made of various materials. Mróz et al [ 12 ] presented a feasibility study of DIC in determining strains in concrete exposed to fire.…”