Classification of cracking mode in concrete by acoustic emission parameters

The study occupies with acoustic emission monitoring of several types of concrete during bending. The signals emitted at the different fracturing stages exhibit distinct signatures. Specifically, frequency and shape parameters of the acquired waveforms shift during the experiment, closely following the sequence of fracture mechanisms from tensile micro-cracking to brittle macro-cracking and fiber pull out. A number of AE indices are proposed, the use of which will enable classification of the cracks according to their mode. The study sheds light to the fracture process of cementitious materials, and enables a warning against the final failure. The simplicity of the scheme renders it applicable in situ. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.