Crack width monitoring system for reinforced concrete beams using piezo-ceramic sensors

Abstract

The following study investigates the development and implementation of a crack width measurement system through the use of piezo-ceramic sensors as part of an active non-destructive health monitoring system for reinforced concrete important structures. As the world demand for economic and sustainable energy rises, the demand for important structures such as long-span bridges, nuclear power containment and offshore platform development has also dramatically increased. These multibillion dollar state-of-the-art structures require the most reliable and durable monitoring system to ensure their most economic yet prudent operation. The proposed system uses permanently embedded low-cost sensors to actively assess the health conditions of concrete beams throughout their lifetime span. In the current investigation, a series of concrete beam specimens have been tested in the lab to examine the adequacy and accuracy of low-cost piezo-ceramic sensors under a bulk wave system. The estimated crack widths from the results of the proposed system instrument measurements agree very well with the crack gauge records from the theoretical estimates and tested beams. The test results confirm the calibration and validity of the proposed system. The proposed system can provide the means of establishing an active structural health monitoring system that not only provides details on the extent of damage, but also its location within a reinforced concrete member.