SEDL / STP / STP571-EB / STP32250S

Establishing Structural Integrity Using Acoustic Emission

Morais, CF
Project engineer and general manager, Acoustic Emission Technology Corporation, Sacramento, Calif.

Green, AT
Project engineer and general manager, Acoustic Emission Technology Corporation, Sacramento, Calif.

Pages: 16    Published: Jan 1975

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Abstract

Acoustic emission techniques have advanced from laboratory use to applications such as establishing the quality of pressure containment and many other structures. The authors discuss the statistical relationship between acoustic emission data and the structural integrity of a series of production pressure vessels. In this application, acoustic emission data obtained from the first 25 percent of a required hydroproof test determined the bursting strength of the vessel. Additional information contained in the data is shown to establish the mode of structural degradation.

At least seven ways of utilizing acoustic emission data to establish the quality of pressure vessels are presented. Use of acoustic emission techniques to detect and locate a growing defect in a structure, while under a relatively severe environmental condition, is presented.

Various methods of data processing are described and the relations to parameters which may indicate the degree of quality of the structure are shown. Data from materials such as glass-reinforced plastics, concrete, glass, and metallics are presented. References to less well known efforts show the universal nature of the technology.