ABSTRACT
This study aims to evaluate the damage detection method of steel finger expansion joints. In this evaluation, simulation joints that could reproduce each step of the joint damage were designed and built on a test course. Experiments were conducted wherein the joints were hammered in a state where the vehicle stopped. The results clarified that there were frequency changes based on the analysis of the vibration characteristics. Furthermore, a vibration acceleration sensor was installed on a patrol car, which was used for daily inspections. A method was proposed to measure and analyze the vibration acceleration response of the steel finger expansion joints from the acceleration installed on a running patrol car. In addition, an inspection and evaluation were performed at each damage stage. This study suggests that it is possible to verify the change in the frequency depending on the damage stage.
