Acoustic emission source location methods using mode and frequency analysis

Traditional acoustic source location techniques are greatly affected by the threshold value of the acoustic signals. Based on the theory of modal acoustic emission, acoustic signals have characteristics indicative of multi-mode, broad band and dispersion. One-dimensional acoustic source location theory is developed to incorporate these characteristics. The arrival times and wave velocities needed for source location are influenced by mode and frequency. Based on the number of sensors used, two universal source location techniques have been investigated. To obtain the arrival time of one mode at certain frequency, the Gabor wavelet transform is applied to the analysis of acoustic signals. One-dimensional acoustic source location experiments in a thin plate have been performed using a lead break as acoustic source. The acoustic source location techniques have been greatly improved and the accuracy of these acoustic source location methods has been verified. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.