ABSTRACT
Acoustic emission refers to the sounds, both audible and subaudible, that are generated when a material undergoes irreversible changes, such as those due to cracking. Acoustic emissions (AE) from concrete have been studied for the past 30 years, and can provide useful information on concrete properties. This review deals with the parameters affecting acoustic emissions from concrete, including discussions of the Kaiser effect, specimen geometry, and concrete properties. There follows an extensive discussion of the use of AE to monitor cracking in concrete, whether due to externally applied loads, drying shrinkage, or thermal stresses. AE studies on reinforced concrete are also described. While AE is very useful laboratory technique for the study of concrete properties, its use in the field remains problematic.
