DAMAGE EVALUATION OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE-PILES BY ACOUSTIC EMISSION

A fundamental study on fracture mechanisms of concrete-piles under both cyclic and monotonic loadings is performed by using acoustic emission techniques. Full-scale prestressed high-strength concrete piles are subjected to bending and shear loadings. Growth of cracks is monitored by AE, and three-dimensional AE source location is conducted together with identification of crack. These results are compared with results of the pile integrity tests (PIT) and visual observation. It leads to the conclusion that damage inspection by AE is more effective than by PIT in the case where open cracks due to loading would close under unloading. The crack widths evaluated by AE were remarkably compatible to the results of the wave velocity test.