Acoustic emission (AE) is an advanced and non-destructive method for structural health monitoring (SHM) that facilitates the identification and eva‎luation of structural components by recording and analyzing sound signals generated by the initiation or progression of damage. Given the critical role of columns in structural load-bearing, monitoring their health is of paramount importance for ensuring the safety and stability of structures. However, prior research in this field has predominantly focused on flexural members, with limited development of SHM methods tailored to columns. This study aims to develop a novel approach for monitoring the health of reinforced concrete (RC) columns using AE data and the analysis of acoustic signal parameters. For this purpose, RC columns with varying transverse reinforcement ratios were constructed and subjected to monotonic and cyclic axial loading. The recorded AE signals were analyzed using a multi-parameter approach, including parameters such as intensity, activity, and energy. The results indicated that columns with higher confinement exhibited more stable behavior, with damage propagating gradually and in a controlled manner. Additionally, significant differences in damage patterns were observed among columns with different transverse reinforcement configurations. To analyze the data, a new method called Intensity-Activity Analysis was developed, which integrates acoustic parameters with advanced algorithms to model damage progression. This method accurately simulated damage propagation patterns under various loading conditions and clearly differentiated the behavior of the specimens. The Intensity-Activity Analysis method, leveraging the integration of multiple key parameters and machine learning, offers a powerful tool for early damage detection and health monitoring of RC columns. This multi-component approach is also adaptable to other structural components, opening new horizons for ensuring structural safety and advancing SHM techniques

داود مستوفي نژاد , عليرضا سلجوقيان

محمدرضا افتخار , آلاء ترابيان اصفهاني