Acoustic emissions evaluation of the dynamic splitting tensile properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete under freeze–thaw cycling

Abstract

This study empirically investigated the influence of freeze–thaw cycling on the dynamic splitting tensile properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC). Brazilian disc splitting tests were conducted using four loading rates (0.002, 0.02, 0.2, and 2 mm/s) on specimens with four steel fiber contents (0%, 0.6%, 1.2%, and 1.8%) subjected to 0 and 50 freeze–thaw cycles. The dynamic splitting tensile damage characteristics were evaluated using acoustic emission (AE) parameter analysis and Fourier transform spectral analysis. The results quantified using the freeze–thaw damage factor defined in this paper indicate that the degree of damage to SFRC caused by freeze–thaw cycling was aggravated with increasing loading rate but mitigated by increasing fiber content. The percentage of low-frequency AE signals produced by the SFRC specimens during loading decreased with increasing loading rate, whereas that of high-frequency AE signals increased. Freeze–thaw action had little effect on the crack types observed during the early and middle stages of the loading process; however, the primary crack type observed during the later stage of loading changed from shear to tensile after the SFRC specimens were subjected to freeze–thaw cycling. Notably, the results of this study indicate that the freeze–thaw damage to SFRC reduces AE signal activity at low frequencies.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

steel fiber reinforced concrete / freeze–thaw cycling / Brazilian disc splitting test / acoustic emission technique / dynamic splitting tensile acoustic emission properties

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Southeast University and Hohai University for providing the test equipment. We would like to express our gratitude to our colleagues in the research group.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2023 Higher Education Press