Relationship between AE Energy and Fracture Energy of Plain Concrete Beams: Experimental Study

In this experimental study an acoustic emission (AE) technique was used on geometrically similar notched plain concrete three-point bend specimens of different sizes. This study aims to measure the acoustic emission energy released during fracture process of plain concrete beams and to investigate the relation between acoustic emission energy to fracture energy of plain concrete beams of different sizes. The technique of acoustic emission uses one or more sensors to listen to a wide range of events that may take place inside a solid material. A series of concrete specimens of different sizes was tested for fracture energy. Acoustic emission energy release was monitored while testing concrete specimens for fracture energy. A correlation between fracture energy and acoustic emission energy was observed. Fracture energy was calculated from work of fracture. Size effect on the strength of concrete beams was observed. An equation has been proposed to obtain fracture energy by knowing acoustic emission energy.