Understanding Acoustic Emission Testing- Reading 1 Part B-A

There are generally two (or more) categories of tests:
1. To use the acoustic emission signals to learn something about the internal
structure of the material, and how structural changes (i.e., damage) occur
during the process of loading. In this case, the specimens are generally
loaded to failure.
2. To establish whether the material or the structure meet certain design or
fabrication criteria. In this case, the load is increased only to some
predetermined level (“proof ” loading). The amount and nature of the
acoustic emissions may be used to establish the integrity of the specimen
or structure, and may also sometimes be used to predict the service life.
(i.e., hydrostatic testing)
3. Inservice monitoring where the loadings are the service loading? (e.g.,
monitoring of crack growth in a inservice coke drum)
4. Other?
Charlie Chong/ Fion Zhang