To extend understanding of the bonding behavior of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) and steel bars in self-compacting concrete (SCC), an experimental series consisting of 36 direct pull-out tests monitored by acoustic emission (AE) were performed in this paper. The test variables involved rebar type, bar diameter, embedded length, and polypropylene (PP) fiber volume content. For each test, the pull-out force and free end slip were continuously measured and compared with the corresponding AE signals. It was found that the proposed AE method was effective in detecting the debonding process between the FRP/steel bars and the hosting concrete. The AE signal strength exhibited a good correlation with the actual bond stress-slip relationship measured in each specimen. Based on the AE location technique, the invisible non-uniform distribution of bonding stress along the bar was further revealed, the initial location of damage and the debonding process were captured. Additionally, the contribution of bar-to-concrete load-bearing mechanism (chemical adhesion, friction, and mechanical interlocking) to sustain the pull-out force was effectively clarified by studying the collected signals in the frequency domain of AE methods. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed AE method has potential to detect the debonding damage of FRP/steel bar reinforced SCC structures accurately.

The shear strength prediction of concrete beams reinforced with FRP rebars and stirrups is one of the most complicated issues in structural engineering applications. Numerous experimental and theoretical studies have been conducted to establish a relationship between the shear capacity and the design variables. However, existing semi-empirical models fail to deliver precise predictions due to the intricate nature of shear mechanisms. To provide a more accurate and reliable model, machine learning (ML) techniques are adopted to study the shear behavior of concrete beams reinforced with FRP rebars and stirrups. A database consisting of 120 tested specimens is compiled from the reported literature. An artificial neural network (ANN) and a combination of ANN with a genetic optimization algorithm (GA-ANN) are implemented for the development of an ML model. Through neural interpretation diagrams (NID), the critical design factors, i.e., beam width and effective depth, shear span-to-depth ratio, compressive strength of concrete, FRP longitudinal reinforcement ratio, FRP shear reinforcement ratio, and elastic modulus of FRP longitudinal reinforcement rebars and FRP stirrups, are identified and determined as input parameters of the models. The accuracy of the proposed models has been verified by comparing the model predictions with the available test results. The application of the GA-ANN model provides better statistical results (mean value V_exp/V_pre equal to 0.99, R² of 0.91, and RMSE of 22.6 kN) and outperforms CSA S806-12 predictions by improving the R² value by 18.2% and the RMSE value by 52.5%. Furthermore, special attention is paid to the coupling effects of design parameters on shear capacity, which has not been reasonably considered in the models in the literature and available design guidelines. Finally, an ML-regression equation considering the coupling effects is developed based on the data-driven regression analysis method. The analytical results revealed that the prediction agrees with the test results with reasonable accuracy, and the model can be effectively applied in the prediction of shear capacity of concrete beams reinforced with FRP bars and stirrups.

In recent years, effective methods for concrete damage identification and localization have become crucial in the field of structural health monitoring (SHM). This study proposes an approach utilizing piezoelectric sensors to detect and localize damage in concrete structures. The method involves using a network of piezoelectric ceramic sensors to actively excite and receive stress waves within the concrete. By analyzing the differences in wave propagation between healthy and damaged states, internal damage can be identified and localized. The collected data are processed using advanced signal processing techniques, including wavelet analysis and pattern recognition algorithms, to accurately identify the damage’s location and severity. Experimental results demonstrate the high precision of this method. Compared to traditional techniques, this approach offers significant advantages, including faster detection, non-destructive testing, and real-time monitoring. In conclusion, the use of piezoelectric sensors for damage detection and localization provides a promising solution for enhancing the safety and longevity of concrete structures, offering a reliable tool for structural health monitoring in civil engineering applications.

This study investigated the shear resistance and damage evolution of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP)-reinforced concrete short columns. Five circular concrete short columns reinforced with GFRP bars and spiral stirrups were fabricated and tested under lateral thrust in the laboratory. The test variables involved the stirrup reinforcement ratio, the longitudinal reinforcement ratio and the type of stirrups. The failure modes, load-displacement curves, strain responses and crack characteristics of these columns were documented and discussed. The accuracy of shear design equations in predicting shear capacity of such columns was evaluated. In addition, the digital image correlation (DIC) instrument was used to identify the full-field strain and damage zones of circular concrete short columns. Several smart aggregate (SA) transducers coupled to the surface of these columns were used to monitor its damage status. The energy ratio index (ERI) and the damage index based on smart aggregate were established to characterize damage level of such columns. The test results indicate that the shear capacity is improved 5.6% and 31.1% and the lateral ultimate displacement is increased 67.7% and 400% as the stirrup reinforcement ratio of the concrete short column is increased from 0 to 0.19% and 0.47%, respectively. The shear capacity equation proposed by Ali and his co-workers, considering a strain limit of $0.004E_{fv}$, gives accurate predictions of the shear capacity of circular concrete short columns reinforced with GFRP bars and spiral stirrups. The variation in ERI values is explained by the development of damage zones of the column obtained with DIC technology and with the proposed damage index based on the smart aggregate it is feasible to evaluate the damage level of circular short concrete columns.

A damped outrigger system (DO) has been proposed to enhance the seismic performance, in which links between outriggers and perimeter columns are artificially disconnected and implemented by dampers. Such an operation essentially destroys the structural integrity and becomes a potential threat for structural safety. Moreover, its performance is very sensitive to the stiffness of perimeter columns. In this study, a mega-sub controlled system is employed to propose a novel outrigger system, i.e., a damped substructure outrigger system (DSO). The novel system has good structural integrity due to its main structure consisting of the core tube, outrigger, and perimeter column. To present further investigation, the govern equations of DSO are derived by the simplified model which is regard as a cantilever beam system with a multirotation spring and energy dissipation substructure. Then, the energy distribution and seismic performance are parametric investigated. Finally, the damping effects of DSO are discussed. The results indicate that DSO possesses the superiority of damping performance. Compared with DO, DSO is less sensitive to perimeter column stiffness. Moreover, the proposed system can obtain the high efficiency in energy dissipation but with less damping cost than that of the viscous damper. Also, the larger stroke of the viscous damper can be found for DSO.