Acoustic emission techniques for the damage assessment of reinforced concrete structures

Muhamad Bunnori, Norazura 2008. Acoustic emission techniques for the damage assessment of reinforced concrete structures. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

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Abstract

This thesis examines the role of Acoustic Emission (AE) techniques as a nondestructive testing (NDT) technique for reinforced concrete structures. The work focuses on the development of experimental techniques and data analysis methods for the detection, location and assessment of AE from the reinforced concrete specimens. Three key topics are investigated: 1. Method of analysis for laboratory-based pre-corroded and postcorroded reinforced concrete specimens tested in flexure. Experimental results from a series of laboratory studies are presented. The work investigates the changing behaviour of the reinforced concrete beams due to chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion by using a parameter-based approach to detect, locate and follow the progression of cracks. The use of AE absolute energy as an indication of concrete cracking is also explored. 2. A practical investigation into acoustic wave propagation in reinforced concrete structures. Experimental results from acoustic wave propagation of two source modes (parallel and normal to sensor face) are presented. The work investigates the wave velocity in concrete structures over a variety of source-to-sensor distances with the influence of pre-set threshold levels. Specimen geometry, specimen conditions and source orientation is explained. The application of modal behaviour on the AE from both artificial and real sources is examined. Experimental data describing signal attenuation is also presented. 3. The detection of damage within an in-service concrete crosshead. Further analysis of a commercial bridge inspection is given. A comparison of results from both clustered and non-clustered events, with laboratory based results is made. Apart from being interested with clustered events, nonclustered events are also an important contribution to damage detection in structural monitoring.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Acoustic Emission, Corrosion, Reinforced Concrete, Concrete Cracks, Source Location, Wave Propagation, Damage Assessment, Bridge Monitoring.
ISBN:	9781303209741
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	12 Feb 2016 23:12
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/54633

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