Seismic Health Monitoring of a Space Reinforced Concrete Frame Structure Using Piezoceramic-Based Sensors

Abstract

In this study, a piezoelectric-based active sensing system was used to conduct the structural health monitoring (SHM) of a one-bay, two-story reinforced concrete (RC) space frame structure subjected to earthquake loadings. The RC frame in which were installed piezoelectric-based actuators and sensors was tested on a shaking table with ground excitation of various intensities. The embedded sensors in the RC frame were used to diagnose the health status of the tested RC frame during the tests, and an energy-base damage index was adopted to quantify the severity of the damage. The test results indicate that the piezoelectric-based active sensing method for SHM revealed the severity of damage of the tested RC frame after earthquake excitations. A simplified and accurate method for simulating the dynamic responses of the tested RC space frame is presented; it was based on the moment-curvature method and identified fundamental frequencies. The calculated displacement time histories and maximum ductility demands of the structural members were compared with those measured in the shake table test, and excellent agreement was achieved.