This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E3100 − 17

Standard Guide for

Acoustic Emission Examination of Concrete Structures1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3100; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope tation of acoustic emission data, assessment of examination

1.1 This guide describes the application of acoustic emis-
sion (AE) technology for examination of concrete and rein-
forced concrete structures during or after construction, or in
service.
1.2 Structures under consideration include but are not lim-
ited to buildings, bridges, hydraulic structures, tunnels, decks,
pre/post-tensioned (PT) structures, piers, nuclear containment
units, storage tanks, and associated structural elements.
1.3 AE examinations may be conducted periodically (short-
term) or monitored continuously (long-term), under normal
service conditions or under specially designed loading proce-
dures. Examples of typical examinations are the detection of
growing cracks in structures or their elements under normal
service conditions or during controlled load testing, long term
monitoring of pre-stressed cables, and establishing safe opera-
tional loads.
1.4 AE examination results are achieved through detection,
location, and characterization of active AE sources within
concrete and reinforced concrete. Such sources include micro-
and macro-crack development in concrete due to loading
scenarios such as fatigue, overload, settlement, impact,
seismicity, fire and explosion, and also environmental effects
such as temperature gradients and internal or external chemical
attack (such as sulfate attack and alkali-silica reaction) or
radiation. Other AE source mechanisms include corrosion of
rebar or other metal parts, corrosion and rupture of cables in
pre-stressed concrete, as well as friction due to structural
movement or instability, or both.
1.5 This guide discusses selection of the AE apparatus,
setup, system performance verification, detection and process-
ing of concrete damage related AE activity. The guide also
provides approaches that may be used in analysis and interpre-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on
Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.04 on
Acoustic Emission Method.
Current edition approved June 1, 2017. Published June 2017. DOI: 10.1520/
E3100–17.
results and establishing accept/reject criteria.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
Testing
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
E1932 Guide for Acoustic Emission Examination of Small
Parts
E2374 Guide for Acoustic Emission System Performance
Verification
2.2 ANSI/ASNT Standards:3
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Nondestructive
Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Cer-
tification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.

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 E3100 − 17
2.3 AIA Standard4
NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
Personnel (Quality Assurance Committee)
2.4 ISO Standard:5
ISO 9712 Non-Destructive Testing-Qualification and Certi-
fication of NDT Personnel
2.5 American Concrete Institute Documents6
ACI 228.2R-13 Report on Nondestructive Test Methods for
Evaluation of Concrete in Structures
ACI 228.1R-03 In-Place Methods to Estimate Concrete
Strength
ACI 437R-03 Strength Evaluation of Existing Concrete
Buildings
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—See E1316 for terminology related to this
guide.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 The guide describes the process of AE examination of
concrete structures and discusses selection of the AE apparatus,
setup, system performance verification, detection and process-
ing of concrete damage related signals.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Real-time detection and assessment of cracks and other
flaws in concrete structures is of great importance. A number of
methods have been developed and standardized in recent
4
Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. (AIA), 1000
Wilson Blvd., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-3928, http://www.aiaaerospace.org.
5
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
6
Available from American Concrete Institute (ACI), 38800 Country Club Dr.,
Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3439, http://www.concrete.org.
FIG. 1 Moving Scale Crack Opening Monitor
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decades for non-destructive evaluation of concrete structures as
well as methods for in-place evaluation of concrete properties.
Review of some of these methods can be found in ACI
228.2R-13, ACI 228.1R-03, and ACI 437R-03. They include
visual inspection, stress-wave methods such as impact echo,
pulse velocity, impulse response, nuclear methods, active and
passive infrared thermography, ground-penetrating radar and
others. These methods in most of the cases are not used for
overall inspection of the concrete structure due to limited
accessibility, significant thickness of concrete components, or
other reasons and are not applied for continuous long-term
monitoring. Further, these methods cannot be utilized for
estimation of flaw propagation rate or evaluation of flaw
sensitivity to operational level loads or environmental changes,
or both.
5.2 In addition to the previously mentioned non-destructive
tests methods, vibration, displacement, tilt, shock, strain
monitoring, and other methods have been applied to monitor,
periodically or continuously, various factors that can affect the
integrity of concrete structures during operation. However,
these methods monitor risk factors that are not necessarily
associated with actual damage accumulation in the monitored
structures.
5.3 Monitoring the horizontal (opening) or vertical displace-
ment of existing cracks can be performed as well using
different technologies. These may include moving scales (Fig.
1), vibrating wire, draw wire, or other crack opening displace-
ment meters, optical and digital microscopes, strain gages, or
visual assessment. However, this type of monitoring is only
applicable to surface cracks and requires long monitoring
periods.
5.4 This guide is meant to be used for development of
acoustic emission applications related to examination and
monitoring of concrete and reinforced concrete structures.
 E3100 − 17
5.5 Acoustic emission technology can provide additional
information regarding condition of concrete structures com-
pared to the methods described in sections 5.1 – 5.3. For
example, the acoustic emission method can be used to detect
and monitor internal cracks growing in the concrete, assess
crack growth rate as a function of different load or environ-
mental conditions, or to detect concrete micro-cracking due to
significant rebar corrosion.
5.6 Accuracy, robustness, and efficiency of AE procedures
can be enhanced through the implementation of fundamental
principles described in the guide.
6. Basis of Application
6.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree-
ment between the parties using or referencing this guide.
6.2 Personnel Qualification:
6.2.1 If specified in the contractual agreement, personnel
performing examinations to this standard shall be qualified in
accordance with a nationally and internationally recognized
NDT personnel qualification practice or standard such as
ANSI/ASNT CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, NAS-410, ISO 9712, or a
similar document and certified by the employer or certifying
agency, as applicable. The practice or standard used and its
applicable revision shall be identified in the contractual agree-
ment between the using parties.
6.3 Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Agencies:
6.3.1 If specified in the contractual agreement, NDT
agencies shall be qualified and evaluated as described in
Practice E543. The applicable edition of Practice E543 shall be
specified in the contractual agreement.
7. The Process of Acoustic Emission Examination of
Concrete Structures
7.1 The process of AE examination of concrete structures
includes the following principal steps. As decisions are made
under these steps (7.1.1 – 7.1.4), a test procedure or instruction
shall be written, based on those steps, to guide the field
activities.
7.1.1 Defining the goal(s) of the examination.
7.1.2 Developing an understanding of the structural system,
material properties, and flaw characteristics.
7.1.3 Selection of the operational, load, and environmental
conditions for conducting the examination.
7.1.4 Selection of suitable equipment and sensor installation
methods.
7.1.5 System performance verification.
7.1.6 Field examination and post examination system per-
formance verification.
7.1.7 Data analysis, interpretation, and assessment.
7.1.8 Reporting.
8. Defining Goals of the Examination
8.1 Prior to conducting an AE examination or AE structural
health monitoring of a concrete structure, it is necessary to
define the primary goals and the scope of the examination
together with a designer or operator of the structure, or both
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(1).7 Success of the examination is defined as the degree to
which the goals of the examination is achieved.
8.2 The way in which AE technology is applied can vary
with different goals. Examples of primary goals are:
8.2.1 Evaluation of known crack development under spe-
cific load conditions.
8.2.2 Characterization of mechanical and fracture mechan-
ics properties of concrete members used in a structure.
8.2.3 Establishment of safe loads/operational conditions.
8.2.4 Prediction of ultimate loads.
8.3 Primary examination goals can be achieved when at
least one or several of the following objectives are addressed:
8.3.1 Detection of active concrete cracking and other flaw-
indications in the structure.
8.3.2 Location of flaw-indications.
8.3.3 Identification of flaw-indications, for example, identi-
fication of tensile or shear concrete micro-cracking, corrosion
damage, and others (2-4).
8.3.4 Assessment of flaw-indications, for example damage
qualification of reinforced concrete beams subjected to re-
peated loading (3).
8.3.5 Structural integrity diagnostics and establishment of
serviceability.
8.3.6 Prediction of ultimate loads.
9. Understanding the Structure, Material Properties, and
Flaw Characteristics
9.1 Correct interpretation of AE results for source mecha-
nism identification, flaw-indication assessment and diagnostics
depends on satisfactory knowledge of the examined structure,
examination conditions (including environmental), understand-
ing the material properties of the structure, manufacturing
methods and material behavior under stress. Therefore, prior to
an acoustic emission examination, it is recommended to obtain
the following information:
9.1.1 Structural Information:
9.1.1.1 The function of the structure and its design including
detailed drawings, if available.
9.1.1.2 Operational/stress/environmental conditions and
other factors that may contribute to flaw origination and
development.
9.1.1.3 Results of previous NDT examinations, including
the location and nature of known flaw indications (if any).
9.1.1.4 Statistics of failures of similar structures, typical
flaws, possible location of flaws and expected rate of flaw
propagation.
9.1.1.5 Factors that can contribute to flaw origination and
development (deformation, support instability, known or sus-
pected design errors, etc.).
9.1.1.6 Wave propagation characteristics in the structure
(propagation modes, velocities, attenuation characteristics, ef-
fects of anisotropy, etc.).
9.1.2 Material Information:
7
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
this standard.
 E3100 − 17
9.1.2.1 Materials used (concrete and reinforcing steel), re-
lated properties, manufacturing methods, and processes.
9.1.2.2 Potential failure mechanisms.
9.1.3 Examination Conditions:
9.1.3.1 Possible sources of noise and other conditions that
may affect the examination.
9.2 Laboratory or full scale tests, or both, can provide
significant portions of the above required information. Tests
can be conducted on specimens or structural elements, or both,
such as beams, columns, or full-sized structural systems with
or without flaws to develop the ability to detect, identify and
assess/classify specific flaws in the target structure. Normally
flawless concrete cubic or cylindrical specimens (taken from
the target structure or specially prepared) are examined to
better understand initiation and development of flaws up to
failure and to study load bearing capabilities of materials;
whereas flawed specimens are examined to study flaw-
detection capabilities by AE testing or to evaluate sustainability
of materials with damage. In addition, standard examination of
concrete cores taken from the examined structure, together
with AE measurement, is recommended to identify the condi-
tion and quality of the concrete (for example concrete unifor-
mity or presence of internal flaws like segregations and
honeycombing), identify possible concrete age related
degradation, and possible deviation from the designed proper-
ties.
9.3 AE signals acquired during testing of small scale speci-
mens can be affected by reflections, different geometric/size
effects on flaw development, and other factors. Therefore, in
every test it is necessary to find invariant qualitative or FIG. 2 Reinforced Column Specimen During
quantitative AE characteristics that can be usefully applied for Compression Testing
examination of real structures. Examples of such invariant
characteristics are:
9.3.1 Stress at onset of detectable AE in flawless specimens 9.5 Whenever possible, it is recommended to perform full
(without known flaws such as cracks or segregations). scale tests on structures with known service developed or
9.3.2 Stress at onset of events related to macro-crack artificially induced flaws. Artificially developed flaws may
growth. have lower detectability compared with service developed
9.3.3 Stress at onset of damage development acceleration flaws.
accompanied by acceleration of AE rate. 9.6 Obtaining the above information is required for devel-
9.4 Mechanical properties acquired during specimen tests opment of appropriate examination procedures, including se-
should be documented, and should include the compressive lection of equipment, and determining examination setup,
strength or load at failure, or both, at a minimum. When a development of assessment criteria, evaluation of flaw
statistically sufficient number of specimens are tested, it is detectability, and reliability of examination. When partial
useful to: inspection of a bridge is performed, the collected information
9.4.1 Investigate the statistical distribution of the mechani- may be used to prioritize zones for AE examination.
cal properties and acoustic emission parameters or character-
istics of the examined specimens. 10. Selection of Equipment and Sensor Installation
9.4.2 When statistically significant groups of specimens are 10.1 General rules for selection of equipment described in
identified, based on similar mechanical or AE characteristics, Guide E1932 shall apply with the following additional consid-
perform fractography examinations to identify qualitative or erations:
quantitative differences between groups of specimens. Once 10.1.1 The primary consideration in selection of sensors is
such differences are identified, the obtained information may frequency characteristics of AE waves produced by the devel-
be used for detection of these indications in target applications. opment of potential flaws in the examined structure.

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 E3100 − 17
10.1.2 Sensors sensitive in the frequency range between 20
to 250 kHz are typically applied for examination of reinforced
concrete structures. Sensors sensitive in other frequency bands
can be used in special cases.
10.1.3 Flat response sensors in the above mentioned fre-
quency range may be used whenever it is necessary to perform
frequency-based analysis of AE signals to separate different
processes by their frequency characteristics and for performing
techniques for advanced AE source location, etc.
10.2 Sensor positioning and installation should be per-
formed under the following considerations:
10.2.1 Sensors spacing is based on investigation of wave
propagation characteristics in the structural components and by
AE background noise characteristics. AE velocity in concrete
can vary with the concrete quality and the presence of rebar or
other inclusions. Significant reduction of AE velocity locally
can be the result of cracks, voids, and other significant flaws.
Therefore, it is recommended to perform velocity estimation
and attenuation tests in all main structural elements indepen-
dently. In zones with elevated and/or variable background
noise, the distance between sensors can be shortened to allow
better detectability, which is one of the primary objectives of
examination.
10.2.2 Sensor spacing, when full coverage of a structure is
required, normally should not exceed the distance at which
pencil-lead break (PLB) generated AE waves will attenuate
more than 30 dB relatively to the AE amplitude of PLB
performed at distance of 3 cm from the nearest sensor’s edge.
It is important to note that attenuation profile can be different
on different concrete structures and therefore specific attenua-
tion curve should be established in every examination case.
10.2.3 It is recommended to place sensors in zones with the
highest stresses, at proximity of know flaws or at zones with
high risk of flaw presence as well as at proximity of main
structural joints. For monitoring of macro-cracks in concrete it
is recommended to place sensors in the vicinity of the crack
tips.
11. System Performance Verification
11.1 System performance verification should be conducted
before beginning the examination. During the examination if
any change in performance is observed, these changes should
be noted, and re-verification conducted if the changes may
adversely affect the examination results. A final performance
verification should be conducted after completion of the
examination to verify there is no change in system perfor-
mance. This is to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the data
being collected during examination. Particularly, the examiner
must verify that sensors are properly mounted on the structure
and maintain the required sensitivity level and that there are no
conditions that reduce sensitivity and reliability of the system.
Maximum deviation between channels, based on pencil lead
break (PLB) or other artificially generated AE waves, should
not exceed 3 decibels (dB). Any channels exceeding the
maximum deviation or performing below required minimum
threshold should be repaired or replaced. Any significant
change in performance during examination should be docu-
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mented. System performance verification shall be performed
according to the guidelines provided in Guide E2374.
12. AE Field Examination
12.1 The optimal examination procedure is one that ensures
the maximum probability of detection of a flaw/fault indication
while minimizing false negatives. This can be achieved by the
application of AE examination under appropriate loading or
environmental conditions, or both, and using suitable equip-
ment and methods of data acquisition, background noise
reduction, and data analysis.
12.2 Loading/Environmental Conditions for Conducting AE
Examination:
12.2.1 Optimal conditions for performing examination are
considered those under which flaws/faults naturally originate
and develop in the examined structure. For example, if it is
assumed that flaws originate and develop in a bridge primarily
due to heavy traffic, it is recommended to conduct AE
examination with and without heavy traffic conditions. If
cracking of a support for a bridge that spans a body of water is
suspected due to water freezing inside of the concrete, it is
recommended to perform the AE examination during freezing
and thawing conditions. Chemically induced concrete cracking
due to rebar corrosion (5-7) or alkali-silica reaction (8) are
generally low-level AE mechanisms and examination is nor-
mally performed over extended periods of time.
12.2.2 For buildings, tunnels, and other structures not ex-
posed to changing loads, AE examinations may be performed
under self-weight conditions. In such cases, only actively
developing cracks due to deformation, settlement, and corro-
sion or other chemical processes can be detected.
12.2.3 In certain cases, an examination may be performed
when loads exceed normal operational/service loads. This may
occur when the duration of examination is short and additional
stimulus is necessary to intensify flaw development or when a
structure is periodically subjected to overstresses from vehicu-
lar overloads. Additional special examinations may be per-
formed under controlled variable stress conditions to evaluate
sensitivity of flaws to load/stress changes or establish Felicity
ratio. These cases are not considered in this guide.
12.3 Duration of an Examination:
12.3.1 Duration of an examination can be defined based on
the following considerations:
12.3.1.1 Structures such as bridges or turbine foundations or
crane decks that operate under changing load conditions should
be monitored during at least several load cycles. For example,
in case of turbine foundations, they can be monitored during
turbine startup, operation, and shutdown. Normally the
operator/owner/designer of a structure can define service
conditions during which to perform AE monitoring.
12.3.1.2 Structures that operate under self-weight condi-
tions without changing stress or environmental conditions can
be tested for several hours (minimum 1 hour) to detect or rule
out the presence of actively developing cracks which are
normally characterized by the AE rate of dozens or more AE
events.
12.3.1.3 Long term or continuous monitoring of a structure
may be necessary when it is required to assess particular
 E3100 − 17
mechanisms, such as cable or strand rupture rate (9) or fatigue
monitoring or when it is needed to assess structural integrity
under seismic (10) or other activity related to extreme events or
under differing weather conditions.
12.4 Noise Management:
12.4.1 Structures can operate under constantly changing
conditions due to vehicular traffic, and environmental changes
(wind, rain, hail, etc). These conditions may often generate
high and variably changing background noise levels, and is one
of the main challenges to be addressed during an AE exami-
nation. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid AE measure-
ments under elevated noise conditions. However, since exami-
nations may be conducted for in-service structures, a
background noise check should be conducted prior to exami-
nation to determine what noise reduction efforts may be needed
to reduce impact on examination performance. Background
noise is often managed through proper selection of equipment,
sensors, sensor layout, deployment of guard sensors, or
through the use of available software filters. The intent is to
reduce the amount of post-processing that may be required if
the background noise is not adequately addressed prior to the
examination.
12.5 System Setup:
12.5.1 Frequency Range—The frequency range for conduct-
ing AE examination should be in agreement with the selection
of sensors, preamplifier characteristics, and noise conditions.
In the case of high background noise, the high-pass frequency
range can be increased but may require shortening the distance
between sensors due to material attenuation characteristics.
Any increase in the high-pass frequency should be followed by
an analysis of attenuation and detectability of signals for the
target amplitude and frequency under specific background
conditions and sensor spacing. Areas of the structure with
reduced detectability or reliability should be specified in the
report.
12.5.2 Hit Detection Techniques—Hit detection may use
one or more techniques, or a combination of techniques. These
techniques may be threshold based, for burst type AE, or
threshold independent for continuous type AE. Threshold-
based techniques employ a fixed or floating threshold in which
the AE signal must pass the threshold to be accepted as an AE
hit. Threshold-independent techniques continuously sample
and measure the signal characteristics of an AE signal, regard-
less of the threshold. This latter technique is typically used for
detection of pressure leaks through concrete walls, seepage,
column instability, and landslide activity which requires mea-
suring continuous noise characteristics, such as RMS, kurtosis,
peak amplitude, and others.
12.6 Load/Environmental/Traffıc Data—Strain, load, traffic
and environmental data (temperature, wind speed, etc.) may be
measured during examination. This data may be used to
examine possible correlations between AE activity and relevant
operational, stress, or environmental conditions.
12.7 Documentation of Sensor Installation—At a minimum,
information regarding sensor type and frequency, sensor
spacing, and sensor position on the structure or structural
elements should be documented and recorded. This informa-
tion may be recorded in the form of handwritten notes or test
logs, photos, or structural drawings.
12.7.1 Visual Survey—A visual survey of the structure and
its main components should be conducted to identify any
unusual conditions or possible deficiencies before examination
begins. Visual survey can be performed and in accordance with
ACI 228.2R-98. Visual surveys may provide important infor-
mation regarding structural condition and assist in interpreta-
tion of AE activity. It is important to differentiate between the
various indications of degradation or flaw-indications which
may be encountered. These include cracking, pop-outs,
spalling, disintegration, color change, weathering, staining,
surface blemishes, and lack of uniformity. When cracks are
visually observed it is important to measure their length, width,
and orientation, and note possible reasons for development,
which may include differing states of stress, settlement, rebar
corrosion, or others. Visual inspection should not be confined
to the surface but should also include examination of bearings,
expansion joints, drainage channels and similar features. Any
misuse of the structure should be identified when compared to
the purposed of the original design and all abnormal findings
reported. A visual survey can be conducted according to ACI
228.2R-13.
13. Data Analysis
13.1 Location and Clustering:
13.1.1 Different methods may be applied for evaluation of
AE source location. Commonly applied methods are timedif-
ference locations for AE signals and zonal location.
13.1.2 Location clustering can be performed to identify AE
source characteristics including likely AE origin, number of
emissions versus time or physical location, etc. Location
activity should be compared with position of known cracks in
concrete, main structural elements, structural accessories, etc.
and visual survey findings. AE sources distributed along
known surface cracks may indicate friction of crack boundaries
and may require repair by epoxy injection.
13.1.3 Statistical analysis of signal parameters within each
cluster should be performed to identify potential groups of AE
signals within a cluster, which may identify several physical
processes occurring in the same location (for example, rebar
corrosion and concrete micro-cracking).
13.1.4 Location accuracy and reliability can be limited in
cases of significant and/or variable background noise and/or
complex geometries. Due to these reasons, different location
artifacts including location folding and location scattering may
be observed. Nevertheless, it is important to note that all AE
activity, regardless if it is locatable or not, should be analyzed,
documented, and reported.
13.2 Flaw-Indication Identification and Assessment:
13.2.1 When proper methods of data analysis and criteria
are developed, AE data can be used for flaw-indication/
identification, assessment, or classification. AE is flaw/fault-
stage-material specific: that is, different flaws and faults at
different stages of their development in different materials have
different AE characteristics. Therefore, flaw/fault identification
and assessment is possible when unique AE characteristics
characterizing different flaws/faults indications at different

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 E3100 − 17
stages of their development in the specific material can be
identified, effectively distinguished, and compared with similar
characteristics obtained in similar applications or in laboratory
tests, or both. Features used in data analysis should have an
established relationship with physical phenomena being mea-
sured during the AE examination to ensure correct assessment
of the examined structure. Signal parameters used for assess-
ment of indications should be a minimum set of statistically
significant features; filtered and normalized when required so
that the influence of background noise is minimized and data
measured at different times and different locations is compa-
rable. Comparison of stress/environmental conditions with AE
activity or AE data parameters, or both, may be used to identify
conditions causing flaw/fault accumulation, development,
acceleration, or arrest.
13.3 Managing Uncertainties:
13.3.1 During data analysis a conservative approach should
be taken in the case of uncertain results. Flaw/fault indications
that can be equally classified into two different groups by their
severity level should be attributed to the group corresponding
to more severe flaws/faults. Also, all AE activity distinguish-
able from AE background noise should be considered as
flaw/fault-related activity unless a difference is verified.
14. Report
14.1 The examination report should include the following
information:
14.1.1 History of the structure, repairs, and findings of
previous NDE examinations.
14.1.2 Description of examination procedures, test setup,
analysis setups such as velocities used for source location
calculations, sensor locations, AE hit parameters filters, etc.
(1) B. Muravin, G. Muravin, L. Lezvinsky, "The Fundamentals of
Structural Health Monitoring by the Acoustic Emission Method."
Proceedings of the 20th International Acoustic Emission Symposium,
November 17-19, Kumamoto, Japan, 253–258, 2010.
(2) “Recommendation of RILEM TC 212-ACD: Acoustic Emission and
Related NDE Techniques for Crack Detection and Damage Evaluation
in Concrete. Test Method for Classification of Active Cracks in
Concrete Structures by Acoustic Emission.” Materials and Structures,
vol. 43, no. 9 (2010): 1177–1181.
(3) “Recommendation of RILEM TC 212-ACD: Acoustic Emission and
Related NDE Techniques for Crack Detection and Damage Evaluation
in Concrete. Test Method for Damage Qualification of Reinforced
Concrete Beams by Acoustic Emission.” Materials and Structures,
vol. 43, no. 9 (2010): 1183–1186.
(4) “Recommendation of RILEM TC 212-ACD: Acoustic Emission and
Related NDE Techniques for Crack Detection and Damage Evaluation
in Concrete. Measurement Method for Acoustic Emission Signals in
Concrete.” Materials and Structures, vol. 43, no. 9 (2010):
1177–1181.
(5) El Batanouny, M., J. Mangual, P. Ziehl, and F. Matta. “Early
Corrosion Detection in Prestressed Concrete Girders Using Acoustic
Emission”, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, Vol. 26, No. 3
(2014): 504–511.
Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Wed Feb 14 09:25:08 EST 2018
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Downloaded/printed by
Istanbul Teknik Univ (Istanbul Teknik Univ) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
14.1.3 Location of flaw/suspected indications, type, and
significance specified in isometric drawings and tables.
14.1.4 Stress/environmental conditions, under which flaw-
indications revealed are most active.
14.1.5 Findings of the visual survey indicating zones with
reduced reliability of examination.
14.1.6 Conclusions and recommendations regarding the in-
terval for the next examination and application of other NDE
methods if necessary.
14.2 Re-examination of the structure may be performed to
follow up on the condition of a structure over time. For
successful monitoring, it is necessary to identify quantitative or
qualitative AE characteristics, or both, that are changing with
flaw/fault development. It is important to perform monitoring
at least partially under similar operational conditions as during
the previous examination. If a significant change in stress or
operational conditions occurs for any reason, it may require
change in the monitoring policy and re-inspection interval. In
cases when the structure is subjected to extreme dynamic
events and trauma, it should be re-examined as soon as
practical after event occurrence. An optimal re-inspection
interval is such that a risk of unexpected failure is reduced to
the minimum acceptable probability, defined for the specific
structure with specific operational conditions, and flaw mecha-
nisms. The presence of different structural risk factors such as
history of uncontrolled overstress should also be taken into
consideration. Re-inspection intervals may be shortened in the
case of reduced detectability or reliability of the examination
due to high or fluctuating background noise conditions.
15. Keywords
15.1 NDE; nondestructive examination; pencil-lead break
(PLB)
(6) Velez, W., F. Matta, and P. Ziehl. “Acoustic Emission Monitoring of
Early Corrosion in Prestressed Concrete Piles,” Journal of Structural
Control and Health Monitoring, Vol. 22 (2015): 873–877.
(DOI:10.1002/stc.1723).
(7) Ziehl, P., and M. El Batanouny. “Chapter 10: Acoustic Emission,”
Corrosion of Steel in Concrete StructuresSawston, UK: Woodhead
Publishing, 2015.
(8) Abdelrahman, M., M., El Batanouny, P. Ziehl, J. Fasl, C. Larosche,
and J. Fraczek. “Classification of Alkali–Silica Reaction Damage
using Acoustic Emission: A Proof-of-Concept Study,” Construction
and Building Materials, Vol. 95 (2015): 406–413.
(9) Appalla, A., M. El Batanouny, W. Velez, and P. Ziehl. “Assessing
Corrosion Damage in Post-Tensioned Concrete Structures Using
Acoustic Emission,” ASCE Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering,
Vol. 28, No. 2 (2014). (DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-
5533.0001389).
(10) Larosche, A., P. Ziehl, J. Mangual, and M. El Batanouny. “Damage
Evaluation of Prestressed Pile to Bent Cap Connections with
Acoustic Emission,” Engineering Structures, Vol. 84 (2015):
184–194.
 E3100 − 17
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