A Review on Guided Wave-Based Damage Detection of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Structures

Abstract

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) structures are widely applied in bridges, buildings, and seismic engineering owing to their excellent load-bearing capacity, ductility, and construction efficiency. However, during service, CFST structures are prone to multiple types of damage, such as crack propagation, interfacial debonding, and steel tube corrosion, which severely threaten their safety and durability. In recent years, guided wave technology has gradually become an important approach for structural health monitoring of CFST structures, owing to its long-range propagation capability, high sensitivity to minor damage, and feasibility for online monitoring. This paper systematically reviews the research progress on guided wave applications in CFST structures, including propagation mechanisms, typical damage detection methods, signal processing, and intelligent recognition techniques. Particular attention is given to monitoring strategies for cracks, debonding, and corrosion. Furthermore, challenges and development trends of guided wave-based damage detection in CFST applications are summarized, highlighting the urgent need for breakthroughs in multi-mode guided wave mechanisms, integration with artificial intelligence methods, adaptability to complex environments, and engineering implementation. This review aims to provide valuable references for nondestructive evaluation and health monitoring of CFST structures.