Acoustic Emission Monitoring of Jacketed Concrete Beams & Columns

This paper presents the application of real-time Acoustic Emission (AE) monitoring and post-test analysis in jacketed concrete members representing typical reinforced concrete beams and columns in buildings. The real-time AE monitoring focused on cumulative AE activity, historic event plots, and event localization using 2D and 3D algorithms to correlate AE signals with visually observed damage. Post-processing analyses were performed to evaluate the evolution of damage in relation to applied loading. The potential use of Moment Tensor analysis, integrated with the NOESIS neural network and pattern recognition software, is explored to enhance damage characterization. AE data and case studies from previous research projects are presented, demonstrating the correlation between AE event localization and observed crack patterns. Both as-built and retrofitted members were subjected to static and fatigue loading scenarios simulating seismic conditions, with AE monitoring conducted throughout. In all cases, AE monitoring successfully detected damage initiation and progression in real time, enabling characterization of crack development. Comparative analyses between original and jacketed members highlight the effectiveness of jacketing as a retrofitting technique. Overall, AE proved to be a valuable non-destructive technique for early detection, monitoring, and characterization of structural damage in reinforced concrete elements.