Time Domain Analysis of Elastic Nonlinearity in Concrete Using Continuous Waves
Résumé
Concrete and consolidated granular media in general exhibit a strong nonlinear
hysteretic elastic behavior when excited by ultrasonic wave perturbations. Due to
the sensitivity of their elastic properties to the small changes that can appear in their
microstructure, the dynamic stress-strain relationship considered at low strains is
affected by the presence of microcracks and hence the progression of damage.
Tracking the nonlinear behavior can be made through the dependence on the
excitation amplitude of the amplitude of higher order harmonics or of the resonance
frequency of the sample. The present chapter shows a time domain analysis of
elastic nonlinearity based on the break of the superposition principle when
ultrasonic continuous waves are propagating in concrete samples. The latter, which
can be of different microstructures (grain sizes, mortar, or polymer matrix), helps
to understand the physical mechanisms involved in the different nonlinear elastic
responses.