Abstract
Distributed optical fibre measurement technology provides new possibilities in structural technical condition assessment in comparison with traditional spot measurements. It is not only possible to analyse strains continuously over structural member length with spatial resolution starting from as fine as 5 mm, but also the cracks and displacements state within reinforced concrete structures. The article presents pilot studies regarding prestressed concrete track scale platforms with a length of 8 to 16 m. Optical fibres were glued within composite rods attached to the stirrups inside the cross section of the slab on the height of lower and upper prestressing tendons, as well as they were glued to the concrete surface after bonding. That allows for comprehensive analysis of concrete strains state including all local nonlinearities (cracks) starting from hydration process (thermal-shrinkage strains), through prestressing tendons activation (strains regarding the transfer of compression forces from the tendond to the concrete) and finally during laboratory tests, when slabs were mechanically loaded until destruction. The ways of installation and exemplary results from selected phases of the research were presented as well as data interpretation was described and discussed.
Highlights
The pilot studies described in the article include comprehensive measurements of concrete strains and temperatures during subsequent phases of structural member lifetime
Starting from hydration process, through prestressing tendons activation and during laboratory tests, when platforms were mechanically loaded in four-point bending test until destruction
Crack and displacement analysis of concrete structural members is crucial in the context of the assessment of their technical condition and safety
Summary
Reinforced concrete slabs are characterized by the lower operational costs and the higher durability in comparison to the steel ones, but the important disadvantage is their weight, which impede the transportation and increasing its costs Another solution which will fulfill these three main requirements more effectively would be a prestressed concrete, which idea is to conscious interfere into the structural member internal forces by providing compression. Nowadays we have the possibilities of applying much more advanced measuring tools, including distributed optical fiber sensor technology [6], which provide comprehensive and much more useful information in comparison to traditional measuring and numerical solutions This tools with reference to a specific case study of prestressed concrete truck scales were described hereafter. Its surface was cleaned and degreased, and optical fibres without any external coatings were glued within measuring paths on a two-component epoxy resin – see figure 4b
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