Cracking and crackling in concrete-like materials: A dynamic energy balance

An analysis of the Acoustic Emission (AE) activity and of the energy fields is carried out with reference to three-point bending (TPB) tests on concrete beams with different sizes. First, a cracking mode classification is performed on the basis of AE parameters like the average frequency and the rise angle of the waveforms. A compression test is also performed to verify if the identification of the fracture mode by means of the AE parameters is...