Structural condition assessment of reinforced-concrete bridges based on acoustic emission and strain measurements

A reliable novel monitoring approach is developed to assess the structural condition of reinforced-concrete bridge elements. The approach is based on combining acoustic emission technique and strain gauge measurements, and it is illustrated by a case study of a composite steel-concrete viaduct in service since 1957. Monitoring was performed on its reinforced-concrete deck slab under traffic and environmental loading for one year. The monitoring setup and procedure are presented. The variation of acoustic emission signals is evaluated regarding strain and temperature measurements. Parametric study, pencil-break test, statistical analysis, crack classification andb-value analysis are performed to assess the structural condition. The acoustic emission activity of the reinforced-concrete slab is evaluated for 1 year under operational conditions. From the monitoring approach, it was possible to identify the nature of the cracking activity in the concrete slab as a function of traffic loading and temperature and to assess in time the condition of the slab-girder connection.