Structural Health Monitoring for Reinforced Concrete Containment Using Inner Electrical Resistivity Method ()
ABSTRACT
Nuclear power plants (NPPs) are considered as the main source for generating
electricity nowadays in some countries. The effect of impact of heavy fully
loaded aeroplane such as (Boeing 747-200c) causes leakage of the radiation
through the cracks generated on the external RC containment of NPPs, and this
leads to severe damage for humans and cities. In this research paper, external
RC containment is modeled using ANSYS and hit by Boeing 747-200c which is the heavier
aeroplane compared to other jets and causes severe damage for external RC
containment. In addition, the impact location for Boeing 747-200c is considered
at 30 m vertical height. RC containment response was studied after the impact
of an aeroplane and a proposed structural health monitoring technique is
applied using embedded sensors in order to detect and locate the embedded
cracks that is generated due to the effect of impact of heavy aeroplane. It was
concluded that RC containment is intact except for the impact region which is
damaged. An experimental program was applied on a part of the element in ANSYS
which is away from the impact region. Four specimens were cast using heavy
weight concrete in laboratory. Three cracked specimens consist of different
lengths of vertical cracks which represent different times of impact in order
to replicate crack propagation as in ANSYS. The cracks are simulated inside laboratory
specimens using failure criteria. The parameters used in detecting the cracks
for specimens are the percentage change in electrical resistivity and Decimal
Logarithm Resistivity Anisotropy (DLRA) at which they give a good indication
for the presence of the crack.
Share and Cite:
Hassaan, M. , Elmasry, M. and Ashkar, N. (2021) Structural Health Monitoring for Reinforced Concrete Containment Using Inner Electrical Resistivity Method.
Open Journal of Civil Engineering,
11, 317-341. doi:
10.4236/ojce.2021.113019.