DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW INSPECTION METHOD FQR CONCRETE PILES DAMAGED DUE TO EARTHQUAKES BY ACOUSTIC EMMISION WAVES FROM DAMAGED PORTIONS

Abstract

When a structure is subjected to a strong earthquake motion, damage of an upper-structure is immediately investigated by structural engineers. On the other hands, damage of pile foundation is likely not investigated because of economical and technical reasons. A new damage-inspection method for concrete piles damaged by an earthquake has been developed using AE waves emitted from damaged portions of piles. In this paper, a principle of the proposed method, background and hypotheses of this method are discussed. Then, a principal applicability of the proposed method is demonstrated by some laboratory tests. A field applicability is shown by field tests conducted onto real piles broken by a big earthquake.