Assessing failure of corroded RC beams under mechanical loads by DIC-AE data analysis
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: A series of experimental tests were performed in this study to evaluate the static and cyclic loading behaviour of steel reinforced concrete (RC) beam specimens configured in different sizes and steel corrosion levels. Acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) measurements were carried out to monitor the loading process of these beams, with particular focus on examining the load-induced cracking behaviours and failure modes under the influence of reinforcement corrosion. Experimental findings revealed that, as a consequence of steel rust expansion and the corresponding reactionary confinement in concrete, a small amount of corrosion (approximately 6% of steel mass loss in this study) is likely to marginally increase load-bearing capacity of beam specimens. Further increase of corrosion to the above said level was observed to have changed the steel-concrete bond behaviour in the specimens, and subsequently alter the failure mode of the shear-critical specimens to flexure-controlled. Besides, AE data analysis successfully revealed the concrete cracking modes in the specimens when loaded. Data analysis results suggested that the corroded specimens emitted AE signals with higher AF values but lower RA values in comparison to the control specimens, regardless of the variations in specimen type and monitoring setup.
Institutions: University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Kyoto University
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,080
OpenAlex ID: W4403933876