Acoustic emission diagnosis system and wireless monitoring for damage assessment of concrete structures

Concrete is the most widely used materials for building civil structures. First, this study aims to identify the differences of AE event patterns caused by both actual crack development and the other sources. Secondly, it was focused to develop acoustic emission diagnosis system for assessing the deterioration of concrete structures like a bridge. Thirdly, a feasible study was done for the application of wireless acoustic emission sensor module to concrete structures. In this work, the algorithm for determining the damage status of concrete structures was developed and some criteria for decision making were also suggested. For the future application of wireless monitoring, a compact wireless acoustic emission sensor module was developed and applied to the concrete beam for performance test. Finally, based on the self-developed diagnosis algorithm, new AE system for practical AE diagnosis was demonstrated for assessing the conditions of damage and distress in concrete structures.