Characterizing the Cracking Behavior of Large-Scale Multi-Layered Reinforced Concrete Beams by Acoustic Emission Analysis
In this study, acoustic emission (AE) analysis was carried out to evaluate and quantify the cracking behavior of large-scale multi-layered reinforced concrete beams under flexural tests. Four normal concrete beams were repaired by adding a layer of crumb rubberized engineered cementitious composites...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Yara A. Zaki Ahmed A. Abouhussien Assem A. A. Hassan |
| author_facet | Yara A. Zaki Ahmed A. Abouhussien Assem A. A. Hassan |
| author_sort | Yara A. Zaki |
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| description | In this study, acoustic emission (AE) analysis was carried out to evaluate and quantify the cracking behavior of large-scale multi-layered reinforced concrete beams under flexural tests. Four normal concrete beams were repaired by adding a layer of crumb rubberized engineered cementitious composites (CRECCs) or powder rubberized engineered cementitious composites (PRECCs), in either the tension or compression zone of the beam. Additional three unrepaired control beams, fully cast with either normal concrete, CRECCs, or PRECCs, were tested for comparison. Flexural tests were performed on all the tested beams in conjunction with AE monitoring until failure. AE raw data obtained from the flexural testing was filtered and then analyzed to detect and assess the cracking behavior of all the tested beams. A variety of AE parameters, including number of hits and cumulative signal strength, were utilized to study the crack propagation throughout the testing. Furthermore, <i>b</i>-value and intensity analyses were implemented and yielded additional parameters called <i>b</i>-value, historic index [<i>H (t)</i>], and severity (<i>S<sub>r</sub></i>)<sub>.</sub> The analysis of the changes in the AE parameters allowed the identification of the first crack in all tested beams. Moreover, varying the rubber particle size (crumb rubber or powder rubber), repair layer location, or AE sensor location showed a significant impact on the number of hits and signal amplitude. Finally, by using the results of the study, it was possible to develop a damage quantification chart that can identify different damage stages (first crack and ultimate load) related to the intensity analysis parameters (<i>H (t)</i> and <i>S<sub>r</sub></i>). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e1b0ee0884ea4b8e80f208e542216a18 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-e1b0ee0884ea4b8e80f208e542216a182025-08-20T03:16:39ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-06-012512374110.3390/s25123741Characterizing the Cracking Behavior of Large-Scale Multi-Layered Reinforced Concrete Beams by Acoustic Emission AnalysisYara A. Zaki0Ahmed A. Abouhussien1Assem A. A. Hassan2Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X5, CanadaKinectrics, 393 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1E6, CanadaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X5, CanadaIn this study, acoustic emission (AE) analysis was carried out to evaluate and quantify the cracking behavior of large-scale multi-layered reinforced concrete beams under flexural tests. Four normal concrete beams were repaired by adding a layer of crumb rubberized engineered cementitious composites (CRECCs) or powder rubberized engineered cementitious composites (PRECCs), in either the tension or compression zone of the beam. Additional three unrepaired control beams, fully cast with either normal concrete, CRECCs, or PRECCs, were tested for comparison. Flexural tests were performed on all the tested beams in conjunction with AE monitoring until failure. AE raw data obtained from the flexural testing was filtered and then analyzed to detect and assess the cracking behavior of all the tested beams. A variety of AE parameters, including number of hits and cumulative signal strength, were utilized to study the crack propagation throughout the testing. Furthermore, <i>b</i>-value and intensity analyses were implemented and yielded additional parameters called <i>b</i>-value, historic index [<i>H (t)</i>], and severity (<i>S<sub>r</sub></i>)<sub>.</sub> The analysis of the changes in the AE parameters allowed the identification of the first crack in all tested beams. Moreover, varying the rubber particle size (crumb rubber or powder rubber), repair layer location, or AE sensor location showed a significant impact on the number of hits and signal amplitude. Finally, by using the results of the study, it was possible to develop a damage quantification chart that can identify different damage stages (first crack and ultimate load) related to the intensity analysis parameters (<i>H (t)</i> and <i>S<sub>r</sub></i>).https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/12/3741rubberized engineered cementitious compositesacoustic emission analysisfirst crack detectiondamage quantificationsensor location |
| spellingShingle | Yara A. Zaki Ahmed A. Abouhussien Assem A. A. Hassan Characterizing the Cracking Behavior of Large-Scale Multi-Layered Reinforced Concrete Beams by Acoustic Emission Analysis Sensors rubberized engineered cementitious composites acoustic emission analysis first crack detection damage quantification sensor location |
| title | Characterizing the Cracking Behavior of Large-Scale Multi-Layered Reinforced Concrete Beams by Acoustic Emission Analysis |
| title_full | Characterizing the Cracking Behavior of Large-Scale Multi-Layered Reinforced Concrete Beams by Acoustic Emission Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Characterizing the Cracking Behavior of Large-Scale Multi-Layered Reinforced Concrete Beams by Acoustic Emission Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterizing the Cracking Behavior of Large-Scale Multi-Layered Reinforced Concrete Beams by Acoustic Emission Analysis |
| title_short | Characterizing the Cracking Behavior of Large-Scale Multi-Layered Reinforced Concrete Beams by Acoustic Emission Analysis |
| title_sort | characterizing the cracking behavior of large scale multi layered reinforced concrete beams by acoustic emission analysis |
| topic | rubberized engineered cementitious composites acoustic emission analysis first crack detection damage quantification sensor location |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/12/3741 |
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