Title: Assessment of Abrasion Resistance of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete at Cold Temperatures through Acoustic Emission Analysis

Author(s): Omar A. Kamel, Ahmed A. Abouhussien, Assem A. A. Hassan, and Basem H. AbdelAleem

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 120

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 41-54

Keywords: abrasion resistance; acoustic emission analysis; b-value analysis; cold temperature; fiber-reinforced self-consolidating concrete; intensity analysis; structural health monitoring

DOI: 10.14359/51738806

Date: 7/1/2023

Abstract:
This study investigated using acoustic emission (AE) monitoring to assess the abrasion performance of fiber-reinforced selfconsolidating concrete at cold temperatures (–20°C). In addition, the study targeted correlating the abrasion damage to AE data through AE intensity analysis parameters. Seven concrete mixtures were developed with variable water-binder ratios (w/b) (0.4 and 0.55), fiber types (steel and polypropylene synthetic fibers), fiber lengths (19 and 38 mm), and fiber volumes (0.2 and 1%). Tests on 100 mm cubic samples were conducted at –20 and 25°C, for comparison, according to the rotating-cutter technique in conjunction with AE monitoring. Characteristics of the AE signals such as signal amplitudes, number of hits, and signal strength were collected and underwent b-value and intensity analyses, resulting in three subsidiary parameters: b-value, severity (Sr), and the historic index (H(t)). A clear correlation between abrasion damage progress and AE parameters was noticed. Analyzing AE parameters along with experimental measurements generally revealed a better abrasion resistance for all mixtures when tested at –20°C compared to those at room temperature. The mixtures with steel fibers, lower w/b values, shorter fibers, and higher fiber volume showed improved abrasion resistance irrespective of temperature. Noticeably, the mixtures containing longer fibers, higher w/b values, or lower fiber dosages experienced a more pronounced enhancement ratio in the abrasion resistance when cooled down to sub-zero temperatures. Two damage classification charts were developed to infer the mass loss percentage and wear depth due to abrasion using intensity analysis parameters: Sr and H(t).