Evaluating Polymer Concrete Bridge Expansion Joints Using Acoustic Emission

by M. J. Woodard, Univ of Central Florida, Orlando, United States,
S. S. Kuo, Univ of Central Florida, Orlando, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering Mechanics

Abstract:

This study is to simulate the acoustic emission (A/E) of polymer concrete bridge expansion joints subjected to controlled representative loads by a rotating test apparatus on a circular test track. The acoustic emission technique is used to detect the location and severity of microcracks in the expansion joints. It is intended to develop a procedure using A/E that will measure the deterioration of actual joints, which leads to the failure of the polymer concrete. To accomplish these objectives many polymer concrete specimens were subjected to compressive stresses using cyclically increasing loads, and fatigue testing at a constant load. A/E data collected from laboratory specimens was used to evaluate A/E data gathered from the test track.

Subject Headings: Load tests | Concrete bridges | Bridge tests | Fatigue tests | Synthetic materials | Polymer | Joints

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