ABSTRACT
X.L. Lei Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Abstract: Since the discovery of the Kaiser effect in 1950 and the similarity in size distribution of earthquakes and acoustic emissions (AE) in the 1960s, many laboratory studies have been motivated by the need to provide tools for the estimation of in-situ stress, the understanding of pre-failure damaging and fracturing mechanism in brittle rocks, and the prediction of mining failures and natural earthquakes. This chapter aims to draw an outline of progress that has been made in AE technology and laboratory AE study and to highlight some significant and extensive achievements in rock mechanics and engineering during the last 20-30 years, such as aspects related to the pre-failure damage evolution, fault nucleation and growth in rocks and discuss factors governing these processes.
