Evaluation of damage in reinforced concrete beams using dynamic system parameters

Damage is introduced in reinforced concrete beams, by subjecting them to shortterm static 3-point bending tests. The maximum static load is increased in a stepwise manner, so that different degrees of damage are obtained. In between each static loading cycle, the modal parameters are measured using different techniques. This allows to draw conclusions about the sensitivity of the modal parameters to structural damage and about the suitability of the experimental techniques. This investigation is the initial phase in the development of a technique for monitoring damage in large concrete structures based on dynamic system characteristics (DSC's).