Acoustic signature of different fracture modes in marble and cementitious materials under flexural load

The present study deals with the examination of the acoustic emission signatures of distinct fracture modes. Tensile and mixed mode cracking is excited in specimens of marble and cement mortar and the acoustic emission behavior is monitored. Tensile cracking incidents show a preference to higher frequencies and shorter waveforms unlike shear events. The results imply that adequate analysis of simple AE features enables the characterization of the current fracture condition of the material and consequently predictions on the remaining safe service life for monolithic, as well as microstructured materials. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.