Acoustic emission monitoring applications for Civil structures

Acoustic Emission (AE) monitoring and its benefits have long been known and utilised by many industries to optimise the use of structures, increase operational safety, and to save money through effective condition assessment and maintenance.

The application and acceptance of AE monitoring within the civil engineering industry has greatly expanded in the past few years. AE monitoring has now been successfully applied by Physical Acoustics to a variety of structures including;

• Concrete half and hinge joints

• Offshore platforms

• Shear studs

• Post-tension concrete structures

• Orthotropic steel bridge decks

• Suspension bridges

• Bridge bearings

This paper presents and reviews several applications of AE to civil structures with specific case studies.

• Introduction

• Ae Monitoring of Post Tension Bridges

• Ae Assessment and Monitoring of Concrete Hinge Joints

• AeCORR™ – AE Detection and Quantification of Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete Structures

• AE Assessment of Half Joint Structures

• Conclusions

• Thanks

• References