Research Articles | Challenge Journal of Concrete Research Letters

Failure Detection of High-Strength Tendons in Prestressed Concrete Bridges by AE

S. Yuyama, M. Ohtsu
S. Yuyama * Nippon Physical Acoustics Ltd., Japan
M. Ohtsu Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Japan
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Abstract


Three types of beams post-tensioned by steel bar, strand, and parallel wire cable with three different grout conditions (unbonded, partially grouted and fully grouted) were tested in a laboratory.  Failure was introduced by artificial corrosion, charging anodic current to tendons.  It is found that acoustic emission (AE) signals with extremely high amplitudes are generated by ruptures of high-strength tendons.  Detectability of failure is demonstrated to be 82-86%.  Then, continuous AE monitoring was carried out in two highway bridges in service.  The analysis of detected AE signals proves that meaningful AE events due to tendon failure are clearly discriminated from other signalsof traffic noises and hammering.

Keywords


acoustic emission; tendon failure; monitoring; prestressed concrete bridge; wire break

References


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Yuyama, S., Li Z-W, Ito Y, and Arazoe, M. Quantitative analysis of fracture process in RC column foundation by moment tensor analysis of acoustic emission, Construction and Building Materials, 1999, 12: pp. 87-97.

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Yuyama, S., Yokoyama, K., Niitani, K., Ohtsu, M. and Uomoto, T. Detection and Evaluation of Failures in High-Strength Tendon of Prestressed Concrete Bridges by AE, Construction and Building Materials, 2007, 21: pp. 491-500.

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