Amplitude Distribution of Emission Wave for Cracking Process

Abstract

Acoustic emission technique is a method of assessment for structural health monitoring system. This technique is an effective tool for the evaluation of any system without destroying the material conditions. It enables early crack detections and has very high sensitivity to crack growth. The crack patterns in concrete beam have been identified according to the type of cracking process and the crack classifications using the AE data parameters are mainly based on the AE amplitude, rise time, and average frequency. These data parameters have been analysed using statistical methods of b-value analysis. This research paper will mainly focus on the utilization of statistical b-value analysis in evaluating the emission amplitude distribution of concrete beams. The beam specimens (150 × 250 × 1900) mm were prepared in the laboratory system and tested with the four point bending test using cyclic loading together with acoustic emission monitoring system. The results showed that this statistical analysis is promising in determining the cracking process in concrete beams.