Evaluating the effect of corrosion on shear-critical RC beams by integrated NDT

Integrated non-destructive testing (NDT) method consisting of acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) was used to monitor and evaluate the load-behaviour of shear-critical reinforced concrete beams subjected to corrosion. Measurement data in the forms of mechanical load, deflection, surface strain and AE signals were processed and collectively analysed to facilitate interpretation of damage development and change of structural behaviour in a more comprehensive manner. Results show that when corrosion level increases, the failure mode of the beams changes from shear to flexure, leading to an increase in beam ductility. The steel-concrete bond deterioration caused the change of internal force transfer mechanism when beams were loaded, as indicated by DIC strain maps and AE b-value analysis. Integrated NDT method demonstrates the potential to intuitively and quantitatively indicate damage development of the RC specimen.