Failure evaluation of composite concrete using an acoustic emissions technique

Abstract

One major problem with concrete is high brittleness with low tensile strength and strain capacity, which can cause sudden failure. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is thus very important to detect cracks in initial stages to avoid catastrophic failure. In this research, an acoustic emissions (AE) technique was applied to enable SHM to detect cracks and predict the failure of composite concrete. This physical non-destructive testing process utilises transient elastic waves caused by the rapid release of energy from a localised source within a structure. A low-frequency acoustic emission system was thus tested for economical monitoring of the damage to reinforced composite cubic concrete under compression. Specimens of standard size (150 x 150 x 150 mm) were produced without and with polyamide reinforcement bars. The compression strength of the cubic concrete was then tested according to BS EN 12390-1. Prior to testing, a low-cost single piezoelectric wafer active sensor was applied to the centre of one side of each specimen, which was then connected to a PC’s sound card. Data was successfully recorded using sensors and the real-time of the applied load was recorded using a separate data logger. Traditional AE signal parameters were extracted and used for damage evaluation. The results indicated that the AE system was capable of detecting cracks in representative structures to final failure. Signal amplitude with load versus time showed an increase in AE activity and energy approaching the end of the test, while commutative hits could be used to distinguish between stable and unstable loading stages. The system also detected the initiation of the final failure stage at 72.6% and 83% of the failure load of specimens without and with polyamide reinforcement bars, respectively.