Automated Surface Wave Measurements For Evaluating The Depth Of Surface-Breaking Cracks In Concrete

Keywords

concrete; non-destructive evaluation; surface wave transmission; surface waves; surface-breaking crack

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of an innovative surface-mount sensor, made of a piezoelectric disc (PZT sensor), as a consistent source for surface wave velocity and transmission measurements in concrete structures. To this end, one concrete slab with lateral dimensions of 1500 by 1500 mm and a thickness of 200 mm was prepared in the laboratory. The concrete slab had a notch-type, surface-breaking crack at its center, with depths increasing from 0 to 100 mm at stepwise intervals of 10 mm. A PZT sensor was attached to the concrete surface and used to generate incident surface waves for surface wave measurements. Two accelerometers were used to measure the surface waves. Signals generated by the PZT sensors show a broad bandwidth with a center frequency around 40 kHz, and very good signal consistency in the frequency range from 0 to 100 kHz. Furthermore, repeatability of the surface wave velocity and transmission measurements is significantly improved compared to that obtained using manual impact sources. In addition, the PZT sensors are demonstrated to be effective for monitoring an actual surface-breaking crack in a concrete beam specimen subjected to various external loadings (compressive and flexural loading with stepwise increases). The findings in this study demonstrate that the surface mount sensor has great potential as a consistent source for surface wave velocity and transmission measurements for automated health monitoring of concrete structures.

Publication Date

9-1-2015

Publication Title

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Volume

9

Issue

3

Number of Pages

307-321

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40069-015-0110-y

Socpus ID

84967185944 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84967185944

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