Detection and localization of debonding beneath concrete pavement using transmissibility function analysis

Abstract

Abstract This paper proposes a novel method to detect and localize debonding beneath the concrete pavement using transmissibility function (TF) analysis. The layout of the measurement node array, the signal processing approach, and the testing procedures are proposed. Two matrices of transmissibility damage indicator (TDI) are proposed to describe the distribution of debonding. This method is a response-only approach and can offer advantages in easy and low-cost implementation. The theoretical deduction, finite element analysis (FEA), and field tests are conducted to demonstrate and verify detection and localization performance. It is first observed that the arrangement of measurement nodes and the frequency range are crucial to TF analysis. TFs at higher frequencies range are more sensitive to the debonding but may result in higher errors. The density of the measurement node array and the noise’s effect are investigated in the FEA. Using a denser node array and maintaining a lower noise level helps localize the debonding more precisely. Field tests are conducted on a precast concrete pavement plate using a specially designed accelerometer array. The test results demonstrate the feasibility of the TF-based method for debonding detection and localization.