Damage prediction in RC columns under low-cyclic loading using AE monitoring technique

•Damage of RC column under low-cyclic loading was monitored by AE technique.•The presented model can correctly assess the damage of RC column.•The damage model is flexible for extension by fragmentation theory.

A low-cyclic loading test is conducted on a reinforced concrete (RC) column until its failure with the acoustic emission (AE) technique. It ascertains that AE technique is very effective for assessing the damage of RC columns subjected to earthquake-type loadings. The test results show a strong correlation between the hysteretic strain energy and the AE energy histories. Thus, an empirical formula is proposed to predict the level of damage and the closeness to failure of RC columns on the basis of the AE energy recorded by one piezoelectric sensor located near the critical zone.