AE propagation velocity calculation for stiffness estimation in Pier Luigi Nervi’s concrete structures

Abstract In the present paper, the acoustic emission (AE) device is used with an innovative approach, based on the calculation of P-wave propagation velocity (vp), to detect the stiffness characteristics and the diffused damage of in-service old concrete structures. The paper presents the result of a recent testing campaign carried out on the slant pillars composing the vertical bearing structures designed by Pier Luigi Nervi in one of his most iconic buildings: the Hall B of Torino Esposizioni. In order to investigate the properties of these inclined pillars, localizations of artificial sources (hammer impacts), by the triangulation procedure, were performed on three different inclined elements characterized by stiffness discrepancies due to different causes: the casting procedures, executed in different stages, and the enlargement of the hall happened a few years later the beginning of the construction. In the present work, the relationship between the velocity of AE signals and the elastic characteristics (principally elastic modulus, E) is evaluated in order to discriminate the stiffness level of the slanted pillars. The procedure presented made it possible to develop an innovative investigation method able to estimate, by means of AE, the state of conservation and the elastic properties and the damage level of the monitored concrete and reinforced concrete structures.