Application of Wide Band AE Sensor in Model Test of Reinforced Concrete Structures

Due to the complicated components of the reinforced concr ete, the AE signals produced by the structural model under different loads possess the ir different characteristics in the time domain and frequency domain. This paper introduces the applic ation of the Model AE-011 Acoustic Emission Test System with its wide band AE sensors to acquire and process the AE signals emitted from the reinforced concrete structure a nd I-steel specimen under different loads. When the health situation of the structures cha nges under the load, there is not only the obvious difference on the duration and event count of the A E signal, but also the affinity between the frequency character and the health situatio n of the structure. When the reinforcing steel bar or metal part of the structure als o has the serious deformation, the high frequency component of the signal may reach above 1MHz. The results indicate that it is helpful for the comprehensive and thorough analysis of the damage mechanism of the structure by using the wide band AE sensor in the health moni toring of the reinforced concrete structures.