This paper shows the acoustic emission (AE) analysis recorded during the loading process of reinforced concrete (RC) structures subjected to bidirectional seismic loadings. Two waffle plates (bidirectional) supported by isolated square columns were tested on a shaking table with a progressive and increasing ground acceleration until the final collapse. Each specimen was subjected to a different loading history.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrestressed monoblock railway sleepers are concrete elements with almost no reinforcement apart from the prestressing wires, which makes them very sensitive to any stress variation that can induce tensile stresses. In recent years, severe longitudinal cracking has been observed in a number of sleepers in hot regions of Spain, even before these elements were put in service. This work studies the problem while considering the thermal variation as the main factor affecting this cracking phenomenon.
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