Work

Evaluation of the Effect of Temperature (20–700 °C) on the Properties of Prestressing Steel Using AE Signals and FEM Analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The study presents a comprehensive analysis of the effects of high temperatures (500 °C and 700 °C) on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and acoustic emission (AE) parameters of cold-drawn prestressing steel. The investigations included mechanical testing, AE signal acquisition, and numerical verification using the finite element method (FEM). It was demonstrated that increasing temperature leads to significant microstructural changes (pearlite spheroidisation, carbide coarsening), resulting in strength degradation and a shift in the failure mechanism from quasi-brittle (initial state) to transitional (500 °C), and finally to ductile (700 °C). For the first time, AE parameters (Counts to Peak and RA-value) were correlated with local axial strains ε22 and von Mises equivalent stress, enabling the identification of the moment of onset load-bearing capacity loss and the determination of critical material damage thresholds. A multi-criteria diagnostic indicator was proposed to assess the condition of prestressing steel after fire exposure. The results confirm the high potential of AE as a non-invasive tool for evaluating the safety of prestressing tendons and cables in reinforced concrete structures subjected to overheating or fire.

Source: Materials

DOI: 10.3390/ma19010023

Authors: Anna Adamczak-Bugno, Sebastian Michał Lipiec, Jakub Adamczak

Institution: Kielce University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Fire effects on concrete materials

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funder: Ministerstwo Edukacji i Nauki