Characterization of fracture mode in Masonry by acoustic emission

Damage development in masonry is particularly complex. Acoustic Emission (AE) is a powerful technique for detection and analysis of the elastic waves produced by the failure mechanisms. However, in-situ characterization of such structures is complicated due to the uncertainties caused by heterogeneity which hinders the accurate localization of damage as well as the source identification. In this study the different fracture mechanisms are studied in relation to the properties of the bricks, mortar and their interface. The aforementioned fracture process is being evaluated using the acoustic emission (AE) technique. The isolation of the AE signatures of different types of failure mechanisms is feasible by testing unique bricks in flexure and brickwork couplets in compression. All the AE data received are analyzed with a simplified AE parameter-based analysis. It is the first time that such a direct correspondence between the fracture process and the results of a monitoring technique emerge for masonry. This procedure offers new insight in the individual mechanisms and the material's behavior and especially in relation to different kind of bricks and mortars where the dominant stress mode is not known a priori. Also this leads to a better interpretation of results for large scale experiments in future research. Keywords: masonry, acoustic emission, fracture mechanisms, simulation, wave propagation

ISBN:978-80-214-5385-2

Publication year:2016

Accessibility:Closed