Summary of Fundamental Developments for Quantitative Acoustic Emission Measurements

摘要

The acoustic emission (AE) technique of surveying structural integrity is one of the newest methods of nondestructive evaluation. The technique uses passive surface-mounted sensors which detect surface disturbances caused by sources within the structure while the structure is under load. The AE signals contain potentially useful information about the location and identity of defects and about the criticality of the defects in a structure under load. While industrial applications of AE have progressed significantly in recent years, interpretation of the full AE signal content remains a problem and the full potential for using AE to determine and monitor structural integrity is yet to be exercised in field applications.nThis report summarizes a research program supported jointly by the Electric Power Research Institute and the National Bureau of Standards. The intent of this report is to summarize the results and methods of the research. Another report with more details of the research has been prepared for the specialist.