Acoustic emission characterization of the fracture process in fibre reinforced concrete

The present study occupies with the characterization of the fracture process of steel fibre reinforced concrete. Different acoustic emission indices are correlated with the accumulation of damage and the type of source. The amplitude distribution of the acquired signals is very sensitive to micro-cracking, while individual mechanisms like matrix cracking and fibre pull-out can be distinguished by the average frequency of the corresponding signals which exhibits a severe decrease at the moment of main. As a result, acoustic emission can be used as a warning against the failure of this material while the broadband transducers can be used to characterize the different damage mechanisms.

► Characterization of the fracture stage of SFRC by AE indices. ► Determination of the AE indices with the highest sensitivity to the modes of fracture. ► First application in literature of Ib-value to SFRC. ► Early warning of final failure before 80% of the maximum load.