A Novel Approach for 3D-Structural Identification through Video Recording: Magnified Tracking.

Advancements in optical imaging devices and computer vision algorithms allow the exploration of novel diagnostic techniques for use within engineering systems. A recent field of application lies in the adoption of such devices for non-contact vibrational response recordings of structures, allowing high spatial density measurements without the burden of heavy cabling associated with conventional technologies. This, however, is not a straightforward task due to the typically low-amplitude displacement response of structures under ambient operational conditions. A novel framework, namely Magnified Tracking (MT), is proposed herein to overcome this limitation through the synergistic use of two computer vision techniques. The recently proposed phase-based motion magnification (PBMM) framework, for amplifying motion in a video within a defined frequency band, is coupled with motion tracking by means of particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). An experimental campaign was conducted to validate a proof-of-concept, where the dynamic response of a shear frame was measured both by conventional sensors as well as a video camera setup, and cross-compared to prove the feasibility of the proposed non-contact approach. The methodology was explored both in 2D and 3D configurations, with PTV revealing a powerful tool for the measurement of perceptible motion. When MT is utilized for tracking "imperceptible" structural responses (i.e., below PTV sensitivity), via the use of PBMM around the resonant frequencies of the structure, the amplified motion reveals the operational deflection shapes, which are otherwise intractable. The modal results extracted from the magnified videos, using PTV, demonstrate MT to be a viable non-contact alternative for 3D modal identification with the benefit of a spatially dense measurement grid.

Behaviour of Prestressed CFRP Anchorages during and after Freeze-Thaw Cycle Exposure.

The long-term performance of externally-bonded reinforcements (EBR) on reinforced concrete (RC) structures highly depends on the behavior of constituent materials and their interfaces to various environmental loads, such as temperature and humidity exposure. Although significant efforts have been devoted to understanding the effect of such conditions on the anchorage resistance of unstressed EBR, with or without sustained loading, the effect of a released prestressing has not been thoroughly investigated. For this purpose, a series of experiments has been carried out herein, with concrete blocks strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips, both unstressed, as well as prestressed using the gradient anchorage. The gradient anchorage is a non-mechanical technique to anchor prestressed CFRP by exploiting the accelerated curing property of epoxy under higher temperatures and segment-wise prestress-force releasing. Subsequently, strengthened blocks are transferred into a chamber for exposure in dry freeze-thaw cycles (FTC). Following FTC exposure, the blocks are tested in a conventional lap-shear test setup to determine their residual anchorage resistance and then compared with reference specimens. Blocks were monitored during FTC by conventional and Fabry⁻Pérot-based fiber optic strain (FOS) sensors and a 3D-digital image correlation (3D-DIC) system during gradient application and lap-shear testing. Results indicate a reduction of residual anchorage resistance, stiffness and deformation capacity of the system after FTC and a change in the failure mode from concrete substrate to epoxy-concrete interface failure. It was further observed that all of these properties experienced a more significant reduction for prestressed specimens. These findings are presented with a complementary finite element model to shed more light onto the durability of such systems.