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.