Evaluation of fatigue damage in reinforced concrete slab by acoustic emission

The applicability of acoustic emission (AE) technique for evaluation of fat igue damage in reinforced concrete (RC) slabs under cyclic loadings in both laboratory and as a structure in service is studied. The fundamental test performed in laboratory shows that the cracking process can be practically monitored by the measurement of AE signals. Analysis of the relationship be tween loading phase and AE activity indicates that the final stages of the fracture process can be evaluated by detecting AE signals generated near th e minimum loading phase. Comparison of the results from the structure and t hat from the laboratory specimen demonstrates that AE energy can be an effe ctive parameter for the evaluation of fatigue damage in RC slabs in service . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.