System for the global monitoring and evaluation of damage processes developing within concrete structures under service loads

Abstract

In this paper, a global monitoring system based on the measurement of acoustic emission (AE) due to active deterioration processes is presented. This allows to examine the entire volume of an element and to locate (with an accuracy of the measuring zones) and identify the type and the dynamics of deterioration processes under service conditions. The resulting data are used to determine and locate the damage processes that are dangerous in construction and to assess the general condition of the structure as well as the degree of risk.

Monitoring of active destructive processes as a diagnostic tool for the structure technical state evaluation

“…13), were linearly spaced on the bottom beam surface, thus making eleven measurement zones (Z 1-11). The distance between sensors was 160 centimetres [17,19]. Such a distance is sufficient to record all AE signals from the whole beam volume.…”

“…Thus identified destructive processes are located due to the analysis of differences in time-of-arrival of signals at individual sensors. Identification and location of active destructive processes provides a basis for monitoring which, together with the analysis of the intensity of those processes, makes it possible to evaluate the technical state of structures [15][16][17][18].…”

“…In tests run so far, which focused mainly on bridges beams, two types of location were used, namely zonal location and location in a plane [17,20].…”

“…As a result, an AE point is ascribed to the measurement zone of sensor 3. The size of the zone for a given beam depends on sensor spacing d (in tests run so far beams were 0.6 m in height, d = 1-1.5 m) [15][16][17]. (Fig.…”

Analysis of the microcracking process with the Acoustic Emission method with respect to the service life of reinforced concrete structures with the example of the RC beams

“…The method based on the measurement and analysis of acoustic emission (AE) signals generated by active destructive processes caused by the loading action in the examined member, or in the whole structure, could be most obviously classified as NDT. The analysis of identification and location of destructive processes provides a basis for the diagnostics of the examined structures [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. The obvious advantage offered by the method is the possibility of conducting measurements of the whole structure of concern (e.g.…”