Guided Wave Propagation in Detection of Partial Circumferential Debonding in Concrete Structures

Abstract

The following article presents results of investigating the damage detection in reinforced concrete beams with artificially introduced debonding between the rod and cover, using a non-destructive method based on elastic waves propagation. The primary aim of the research was to analyze the possible use of guided waves in partial circumferential debonding detection. Guided waves were excited and registered in reinforced concrete specimens with varying extents of debonding damage by piezoelectric sensors attached at both ends of the beams. Experimental results in the form of time–domain signals registered for variable extent of debonding were compared, and the relationships relating to the damage size and time of flight and average wave velocity were proposed. The experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions based on dispersion curves traced for the free rod of circular cross-section and rectangular reinforced concrete cross-section. The high agreement of theoretical and experimental data proved that the proposed method, taking advantage of average wave velocity, can be efficiently used for assessing debonding size in reinforced concrete structures. It was shown that the development of damage size in circumferential direction has a completely different impact on wave velocity than development of debonding length. The article contains a continuation of work previously conducted on the detection of delamination in concrete structures. The proposed relationship is the next essential step for developing a diagnostics method for detecting debondings of any size and orientation.

Debonding Size Estimation in Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Guided Wave-Based Method

“…The results shown in the following paper are the continuation of the studies of debonding detection in RC structures [30,31]. The paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental investigations of guided wave propagation carried out on RC beams with artificially introduced debonding of varying sizes, shapes and locations.…”

Proposal of Laser-Induced Ultrasonic Guided Wave for Corrosion Detection of Reinforced Concrete Structures in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Site

“…Meanwhile, Miller et al [9] investigated the Time of Flight change in a propagating ultrasonic guided wave due to corrosion and mass load. Most recently, Beata Zima [10] conducted research on the guided wave on the rod of reinforced concrete from theoretical, numerical, and experimental perspectives. These research papers provide useful information on and insight into testing methods for the Fukushima Daiichi NPP.…”

RMS-based damage detection in reinforced concrete beams: numerical simulations

“…The model includes mass proportional damping [18]. The damping coefficients were set on the basis of the comparative analysis with experimentally obtained time-domain signals presented in [14].…”

“…The amplitude of the excitation was equal to 1 N. The calculations have been performed for two different, excitation frequencies: 60 and 100 kHz. The geometry of the beam models, material parameters and frequencies were chosen behind the experimental studies presented in [14]. Two different excitation frequencies allowed for observing the differences in sensitivity of particular frequencies for damage detection.…”

“…Low frequency guided waves for delamination detection in composite laminates were numerically analyzed by Shoja et al [11]. Examples of the usefulness of guided waves in debonding detection in reinforced concrete structures has been presented among others by Zhu et al [12] Li et al [13] and Zima [14]. In the paper [14] it was proved that size or circumferential extent of debonding can be assessed on the basis of a single time-domain signal DIAGNOSTYKA, Vol.…”