CORDIS Database: RESULTS
System for the assessment of safety conditions in reinforced concrete and masonry structures

Record Control Number: 29685

Quality Validation Date: 2003-04-18

Update Date: 2003-05-06

Abstract: An Italian research group has developed an innovative system able to identify any presence of active cracks or developing damage zones in reinforced concrete or masonry constructions by utilizing the AE technique. The system may also determine whether the crack or damage propagation will be stable or unstable. IPR has been granted a patent. They offer licensing agreement to organizations operating in the sectors of building/road construction, protection of heritage or hydroelectric networks. 

The evaluation of safety and reliability in reinforced concrete and masonry structures, as used for tunnels, bridges, dams and other similar constructions, represents a complex task and a cutting edge technological problem. For this reasons the diagnosis and monitoring techniques are assuming an increasing importance in the whole process of reliability assessment. A system, for non-destructive and instrumented structural investigation, based on the AE technique is proposed. 

Acoustic Emission (AE) is represented by the class of phenomena whereby transient elastic waves are generated by the rapid release of energy from localized sources within a material. All materials produce AE during both the generation and propagation of cracks. The elastic waves move trough the solid to the surface, where sensors detect them. These sensors are transducers that convert the mechanical waves into electrical signals. In this way, information about the existence and location of possible damage sources is obtained. This is similar to seismicity where seismic waves reach the station placed on the earth surface. After the signal processing, the location of the earthquake centres is obtained. Therefore, among the structural non-destructive tests, the AE monitoring technique is the only one able to detect a damage process at the same time when it occurs. 

This innovative system is the only one able to detect a damage process, in structures under service, at the same time when it occurs. Moreover, it is able to identify defects or anomalies in a radius of at least 10m from the point of application of transducers. In the case of a construction with linear development, e.g. a bridge or a viaduct, it is possible to identify defects at a distance of at least 10m from the sensors. On the other hand, when monitoring a two-dimensional structure of large area, the sensors should be positioned on the corners of a quadrilateral with distance between one and another enough to cover the area of the entire quadrilateral and partly of the contiguous area. 

The transducers are preferably applied in direct contact with the concrete or masonry construction using silicon glues. In each transducer there is a signal pre-amplifier and all the transducers are connected by cable with an adapter, which transmits the data to a small switchboard. The switchboard analyses the amplitude of the signals, saves the counting number of events for the energy calculation and, through a modem, sends the data to a P.C. were they can be presented in the desired way, for example by a graphic elaboration program. Obviously, the devices will be contained in casings to protect them from external agents; for example, in metallic boxes IP 65 according to the Italian Standard CEI 64-8. The maximum distance between the measuring system and the zone in which the transducers are applied must not be any larger than to permit a reliable achievement of signals. 
Experimental applications regard pilasters of a reinforced concrete bridge, and the masonry structure of an old tower to evaluate crack advancement. 

Main Advantages: 
Simple configuration: In each transducer there is a signal pre-amplifier and all the transducers are connected by cable with an adapter, which transmits the data to a small switchboard. The switchboard analyses the amplitude of the signals, saves the counting number of events for the energy calculation and, through a modem, sends the data to a P.C. were they can be presented in the desired way, for example by a graphic elaboration program. 

Despite the different kinds of applications, the system always maintains the same components, although the number of transducers employed will depend on the extension of the construction involved. It can be applied in various circumstances from pilasters of a reinforced concrete bridge to the masonry structure of an old tower to evaluate crack advancement.

Innovative Aspects: This innovative system is the only one able to detect a damage process, in structures under service, at the same time when it occurs. 
It is able to identify defects or anomalies in a radius of at least 10m from the point of application of transducers. 
In the case of a construction with linear development, e.g. a bridge or a viaduct, it is possible to identify defects at a distance of at least 10m from the sensors.

Subject Class: Environment; IT, telecommunications; Materials, industrial manufacturing technologies

Subject Descriptors: Protection technologies; Remote sensing; Civil engineering

Subject Index : Environmental Protection; Telecommunications; Construction Technology

Market Applications: Construction industry

Stage of Development: Prototype/demonstrator available for testing

Remarks: IRC Data: ALPS-CECCP-TO-038

Property Rights: Patent(s) granted

Collaboration Sought: Licence agreement

Collaboration Detail: - Type of partner sought: public corporations or private societies - Specific area of activity of the partner: infrastructures and road networks, historical and monumental heritage or hydroelectric networks. - Task to be performed



Contact Details 
Contact Name: SERRANO, Marta 


Contact Organisation: Centro Estero Camere Commercio Piemontesi 
Address: Via Ventimiglia 165 
City: Torino 
Region: NORD OVEST 
PIEMONTE 
Torino 
Postcode: 10127 
Country: ITALY 
Telephone Number: +39-011-6700621 
Fax Number: +39-011-6965456 
Electronic Mailbox: marta.serrano@ceccp.org 

 
 
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