Potential of acoustic emissions from three point bending tests as rock failure precursors

Development of failure in brittle materials is associated with microcracks, which release energy in the form of elastic waves called acoustic emissions. This paper presents results from acoustic emission measurements obtained during three point bending tests on Nestos marble under laboratory conditions. Acoustic emission activity was monitored using piezoelectric acoustic emission sensors, and the potential for accurate prediction of rock damage based on acoustic emission data was investigated. Damage localization was determined based on acoustic emissions generated from the critically stressed region as scattered events at stresses below and close to the strength of the material.