Interfacial debonding detection for steel-concrete composite structures part I: Benchmark test and signal calibration of contact and non-contact measurement

Abstract

Interfacial bonding state is one of the crucial factors affecting the bearing capacity and durability of steel-concrete composite structures (SCCS). To achieve efficient interfacial debonding detection for SCCS, contact and non-contact method-based novel non-destructive test (NDT) is performed in this study. In order to figure out the dominant frequency and vibration mode of steel plate above interfacial debonding defects in SCCS, systematic theoretical analysis and finite element simulation are carried out. Then, the contact NDT experimental study is carried out utilizing piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) sensors and acceleration meters. Conventional and high-frequency microphones, as well as high-precision scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV), are introduced for non-contact measurement. According to benchmark test on steel plate-bonded reinforced concrete cube with preset interfacial debonding defects in different dimensions, the signal calibration with Pearson correlation coefficient is further performed to quantitatively assess the variation and difference between contact and non-contact measurements. Research findings indicate that the synthetic experimental testing platform integrating contact vibration measurement, non-contact SLDV, and acoustic vibration measurement established in this study is capable of performing non-destructive tests using impact-response method, impact-echo technique, impact-acoustic vibration approach, and modal test simultaneously. Moreover, SLDV can precisely obtain the vibration mode of steel plates above interfacial debondings. Aided by high-precision scanning laser-based vibration measurement, the accuracy and efficiency of in-situ non-contact tests can be improved. The research findings in this study can provide practical guidance on non-destructive evaluation of interfacial damages in SCCS.