Abstract
Methods based on guided ultrasonic waves are gaining increasing attention for the non-destructive inspection and condition monitoring of multi-wire strands used in civil structures such as prestressing tendons and cable stays. In this paper we examine the wave propagation problem in seven-wire strands at the level of the individual wires comprising the strand. Through a broad-band, laser ultrasonic setup and a time—frequency wavelet transform processing, longitudinal and flexural waves are characterized in terms of dispersive velocity and frequency-dependent attenuation. These vibrating frequencies propagating with minimal losses are identified as they are suitable for long-range inspection of the strands. In addition, the wave transmission spectra are found to be sensitive to the load level, suggesting the potential for continuous load monitoring in the field.
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Rizzo, P., Lanza di Scalea, F. Wave propagation in multi-wire strands by wavelet-based laser ultrasound. Experimental Mechanics 44, 407–415 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02428094
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02428094