Investigation of fatigue damage of new-old concrete interface based on piezomagnetic effect

Abstract

Prefabricated concrete structures that employ wet connections create a new-old concrete interface between the pre-cast and cast-in-place layers. To enhance interfacial bonding performance in practical engineering, steel shear keys are frequently employed. The performance of the new-old concrete interface is critical in determining the fatigue performance of prefabricated concrete structures. Therefore, detecting and monitoring interface fatigue damage is essential for the life prediction and damage assessment of the entire structure. This study measured and analysed the piezomagnetic signal of the new-old concrete interface with shear keys under both static and cyclic loads. The piezomagnetic induction intensity was studied based on multiple damage indicators, such as steel strain and interface deformation. The relationship between the piezomagnetic signal and interface fatigue damage was analysed. The magneto-mechanical effect, dislocation effect, and magnetic leakage effect govern the piezomagnetic field change in different fatigue stages. It is found that the piezomagnetic signal exhibits similarities with conventional fatigue damage indicators, undergoing a three-stage variation pattern. Moreover, it demonstrates greater sensitivity to stress loading history and can better reflect the evolution of microstructural defects within the material. Finally, a simulated model of the magnetisation of the shear key at the new-old concrete interface was established and validated.