Image Analysis Method for Observing Cracks, Strain and Displacement Fields in RC Structural Experiments

Abstract eng:
This paper presents an image analysis method that is capable of capturing crack distributions, displacement and strain fields in structural testing of reinforced concrete (RC) elements. Traditionally, crack distributions are recorded by manually marking visible cracks in the concrete during an experiment. Strain profiles and displacements of the test specimen are recorded using strain and displacement gauges located at specific measurement locations on the test specimen. The use of such techniques can be time consuming and expensive, requiring significant investment in the cost of the sensors, time for their installation, and large data acquisition systems to collect the data. The use of such measurement systems also requires a priori knowledge of specific measurement locations, something that may not be obvious for large scale experimental testing. Alternatively, the image analysis technique presented herein is a freely available software tool, ImPro Stereo. ImPro Stereo provides a cost effective reliable measurement tool capable of capturing crack progressions, surface strain fields, and displacement time histories in a large-scale structural experiment. To validate the performance of the image analysis method, it is implemented in an experimental program on the in-plane seismic behavior of RC shear walls rehabilitated using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets. The image analysis method is shown to be capable of measuring crack distributions and displacement fields over the entire surface of the shear wall with a high degree of accuracy. Strain profiles can be estimated according to the surface displacements. Experimental results from the image analysis method are utilized to develop a better understanding of the behaviour of RC shear walls retrofitted with FRP sheets for earthquake resistance. Potential field applications for the image analysis method in FRP-strengthened RC structures are also discussed.

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