SimAS – Digital Twin for Simulation of Acoustic Waves in Prestressed Concrete

Project

Project period
10/01/2024 - 09/30/2026
Project type
Collaborative research project
Project status
Ongoing

Description

Breaking of prestressing wires can lead to the collapse of prestressed concrete bridges without warning. In the project, acoustic emission analysis is being further developed to detect prestressing wire breaks and thus optimize the monitoring of endangered bridges.

Location

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung
Unter den Eichen 87
12205 Berlin

The SimAS project develops a physics-augmented digital acoustic twin to simulate the propagation of ultrasonic waves in prestressed concrete structures. The twin will support the planning, optimization and operation of monitoring systems for the detection of tension wire breaks as well as the evaluation and documentation of measurement data and meta information. Using data fusion between simulated and measured data, wire breaks in the structure can be localized and characterized. Furthermore, the twin assists with optimal experimental design prior to installing an acoustic emission monitoring system. By comparing simulated and detected signals, the identification of tension wire breaks and the reliability of monitoring can be significantly improved, and quantitative statements about the probability of detection can be derived. All data is merged in an integrated platform. The results will be made accessible via user interfaces and published according to the FAIR principles.