The paper deals with the nondestructive identification of defective concrete zones in unilaterally accessible massive members, for example, access galleries in hydroelectric power plants. The concrete in such zones is, for various reasons, excessively porous. The authors propose to use state-of-the-art acoustic testing techniques, including ultrasonic tomography, integratively to detect and identify defective zones. An original methodology for such tests has been developed. The methodology is illustrated with an example of its practical application to a real civil engineering structure.

This paper presents the results of research aimed at identifying the degree of degradation of fibre-cement boards exposed to fire. The fibre-cement board samples were initially exposed to fire at various durations in the range of 1–15 min. The samples were then subjected to three-point bending and were investigated using the acoustic emission method. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were employed to analyse the results yielded by the acoustic emission method. Fire was found to have a degrading effect on the fibres contained in the boards. As the length of exposure to fire increased, the fibres underwent gradual degradation, which was reflected in a decrease in the number of acoustic emission (AE) events recognised by the artificial neural networks as accompanying the breaking of the fibres during the three-point bending of the sample. It was shown that it is not sufficient to determine the degree of degradation of fibre-cement boards solely on the basis of bending strength (MOR).

The aim of the present study was to investigate the degradation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of fiber cement board (FCB), which was exposed to environmental hazards, resulting in thermal impact on the microstructure of the board. The process of structural degradation was conducted under laboratory conditions by storing the FCB specimens in a dry, electric oven for 3 h at a temperature of 230 °C. Five sets of specimens, that differed in cement and fiber content, were tested. Due to the applied heating procedure, the process of carbonization and resulting embrittlement of the fibers was observed. The fiber reinforcement morphology and the mechanical properties of the investigated compositions were identified both before, and after, their carbonization. Visual light and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray micro tomography, flexural strength, and work of flexural test W_f measurements were used. A dedicated instrumentation set was prepared to determine the ultrasound testing (UT) longitudinal wave velocity c_L in all tested sets of specimens. The UT wave velocity c_L loss was observed in all cases of thermal treatment; however, that loss varied from 2% to 20%, depending on the FCB composition. The results obtained suggest a possible application of the UT method for an on-site assessment of the degradation processes occurring in fiber cement boards.