Conclusions
By analogy with relaxation studies in granular materials, we infer that
heterogeneities such as micro-scale cracking in concrete, might be
responsible for detectable changes in the building properties. Hence,
alterations in the bond system (i.e. driven by thermodynamic and
mechanical processes) might contribute to the internal organization of
particles that allows for the closing of cracks. This, however, is an
ongoing research plenty of challenges to try to understand the
underlying microscopic mechanisms that are responsible for the
phenomena.
The procedure followed to obtain the results presented in this
manuscript could be an easy way to detect variations in the structural
response (i.e. damage). For example, the comparison of the
structural response in terms of relaxation parameters before and after a
specific event, for a same level of deformation, could provide us with
important information about the extension and density of heterogeneities
(i.e. cracks). The automatized computation of relaxation parameters
applied to real-time instrumented buildings, would allow us to
characterize differences in the structural behavior, which is
fundamental for making prompt and accurate decisions about structural
health.