Application of correlation analysis techniques to surface wave testing for the evaluation of reinforced concrete structural elements

An experimental study using surface wave testing to monitor the progression of fatigue damage in five natural scale reinforced concrete beams is presented. The work presented innovates in the manner the results from the surface wave testing is analyzed. Instead of evaluating the velocity and attenuation of the surface waves, the determination of the damage results from the correlation analysis between the recorded signals. Three correlation analysis techniques were assessed: the Pearson correlation coefficient, the power spectral correlation index and the coherence spectrum. From the results obtained, the coherence spectrum showed potential to monitor the progression of incremental damage.