Detection of damage to reinforced-concrete structures using piezoelectric smart aggregates

Abstract

The implementation of active monitoring systems to diagnose damage to reinforced concrete structures using piezoelectric smart aggregates, and based on wave propagation, ranks among the world’s most advanced research activities. Original models, with parametric analysis of the damage index variation problem, depending on the size, position and orientation of cracks, are presented in the paper. Numerical modelling of wave propagation in reinforced concrete is conducted using the explicit finite element method, which is highly effective for this purpose.