Acoustic emission signal conditioning and analysis using digital storage oscilloscope

One of the salient features of acoustic emission technique (AET) is the dynamic non-destructive detection of defects in structures. In this paper, development of acoustic emission (AE) signal conditioning module and analysis of AE signals through digital oscilloscope is reported. Resonant type piezoelectric transducer has been used to acquire the data by pencil lead break on a concrete beam. The output signal from the transducer is in the range of mV. This is further amplified (in volts) for processing of AE signals. The amplified signal is filtered using linear filtering. The signals obtained are analyzed by FFT to characterize the frequency response of the AE signal generated from the concrete and validate the signal conditioning module.