Long Term Health Monitoring of Anthony Wayne Bridge Main Cable with Acoustic Emission Technique

The acoustic emission (AE) technique, based on the sudden release of energy within a material generating transient elastic wave propagation, is widely used as a non-destructive technique (NDT). AE events generate a spectrum of stress waves starting at 0 Hz, and typically falling off at several MHz . Based on the characteristics of AE waveforms and wave propagation theory, useful information like source location and the cause of emissions can be obtained. During the course of this research, the background and concepts of AE were studied and utilized. The AE wire breaking detection system on the main cables of the Anthony Wayne Bridge is used as a research laboratory for this thesis.The acoustic emission (AE) method for nondestructive evaluation of main cables of the Anthony Wayne Bridge predicts the location of future invasive inspection and also is able to prevent disastrous failure of the structure. It will be relatively easy, in comparison with periodic physical inspection, to set up an effective long term high resolution health monitoring system for the main cables of the bridge. This study investigated the development of the AE monitoring system and the application of AE to detect wire breaks. The corrosion of metals involves ion transfer between anode and cathode. Electrochemical reactions consist of oxidation and reduction. The oxidation occurs at the anode (releasing electrons to the electrolyte); the reduction, at the cathode. There are several type of corrosion namely pitting, uniform, stress-cracking, and a combination of them. AE can be used to evaluate and predict damages due to corrosion. Then the applicability of an existing AE system on the bridge for detecting corrosion was explored, including both a field test and laboratory testing. A corrosion test was carried out on a piece of aluminum bar with active pitting corrosion to capture the signature of AE waveforms due to corrosion such as amplitude, intensity of acoustic activity and frequency spectrum. The results of this laboratory test help to filter AE waves from the corrosion source.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Toledo

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Seyedianchoobi, Rasa

Contributors dc:contributor

• Nims, Dr. Douglas

• Civil Engineering
• Acoustic Emission
• NDT
• Nondestructive
• Health Monitoring
• Sensors
• AE

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1357192802

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:toledo1357192802