Probing in situ capacities of prestressed stayed columns: towards a novel structural health monitoring technique

Abstract

Prestressed stayed columns (PSCs) are structural systems whose compressive load-carrying capacity is enhanced through pre-tensioned cable stays. Much research has demonstrated that PSCs buckle subcritically when their prestressing levels maximize the critical buckling load of the theoretically perfect arrangement. Erosion of the pre-tensioned cables’ effectiveness (e.g. through creep or corrosion) can thus lead to sudden collapse. The present goal is to develop a structural health monitoring (SHM) technique for in-service PSCs that returns the current structural utilization factor based on selected probing measurements. Hence, PSCs with different cable erosion and varying compression levels are probed in the pre-buckling range within the numerical setting through a nonlinear finite element (FE) model. In contrast to the previous work, it is found presently that the initial lateral stiffness from probing a PSC provides a suitable health index for in-service structures. A machine learning-based surrogate is trained on simulated data of the loading factor, cable erosion and probing indices; it is then used as a predictive tool to return the current utilization factor for PSCs alongside the level of cable erosion given probing measurements, showing excellent accuracy and thus provides confidence that an SHM technique based on probing is indeed feasible. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Probing and dynamics of shock sensitive shells’.

Behavioral Analysis of a Mast with a Combined Prestressed Stayed Columns System and Core of a Spun Concrete Circular Cross-Section

“…It is worth mentioning that prestressed stayed columns systems are also successfully used in structures of different purposes as bridges or roof structures [40,41]. There are also known structural solutions for building facade columns or high-rise struts, where various pre-stressed and prestressed stayed columns systems are used [42,43]. Generally, the design, strength, and buckling issues of such steel systems are analyzed [44,45].…”

Structural function from sequential, interacting elastic instabilities

“…However, this narrative has been challenged more recently, and instabilities have been exploited for novel functionalities. This has led to the creation of well-behaved nonlinear structures [5] such as shape-adaptive structures [6][7][8][9], deployable structures [10][11][12], zero or negative stiffness structures [13,14], energy harvesters [15], as well as non-destructive testing techniques [16][17][18][19][20].…”

A Study on the Elastoplastic Stable Bearing Capacity of Double-Steering Prestressed Plate Columns

“…Liu et al [22] conducted intelligent evaluations of prestressed cable safety through DT and artificial intelligence integration, offering a methodology for the intelligent evaluation and application of prestressed cables. Shen et al [23] developed a health monitoring technology for prestressed strut columns, considering erosion impacts and demonstrating high accuracy. Wu et al [24] analyzed the buckling behavior of prestressed strut columns using machine learning and enabling an intelligent assessment of the structure's nonlinear behavior.…”