Correlation between acoustic emission distribution and stress variation through the depth of RC beam cross sections

Abstract

Highlights The acoustic emission distribution through the depth of RC beam sections is studied. AE parameters can characterise behaviours of RC beams in the depth direction. AE event intensity shows a higher correlation than energy-based parameters in the study. The correlation between AE and stress responses was demonstrated to be very strong. A new option for estimating stress levels in engineering and science is considered.

Relation between the shear stress distribution and the resulting acoustic emission variation in concrete beams

“…The authors think this may result from the low AE activity in this stage, especially considering the fact that AEs are by‐products of great stresses and the magnitude of the load applied on the specimen at that time was still very small (less than 17.523 kN on Beam 12‐5). In addition, similar conclusion was drawn in previous work . In summary, the correlation between the distributions of the shear stresses and AEs is not clear when the beam is in the elastic stage.…”

“…According to the findings obtained in this study and previous work, it was found the correlations observed in specimens failed in the flexural mode or the shear mode shared common features and also demonstrated significant distinctions. Two shared features are briefed as follows.…”

“…For example, the AE source intensity is defined as the total number of AE sources identified within a unit area. One can refer to the authors' published paper for relevant information and data processing strategies adopted here.…”

“…Instead, other specimens failed in the shear mode, as shown in the right panel of Figure . Because the behaviours of RC beams are dominant by the three phases, four loading moments marked Points A, B, C, and D in the Figures and were selected, and the data acquired within the target segment from the beginning of the test till each of these moments are detailed below.…”

“…Note that the above mechanism behind the possible similarity is universal and almost irrelevant to types of materials or structures concerned and that the authors had done similar work in concrete beams failed in the flexural mode and revealed strong correlations between AEs and normal stresses and AEs and the shear stresses in concrete joints . Most importantly, the authors wondered if there is a similar correlation in the case of the shear failure mode.…”