ISO 16836:2019

Non-destructive testing - Acoustic emission testing - Measurement method for acoustic emission signals in concrete

This document establishes a measurement method for acoustic emission signals in concrete.

Essais non destructifs — Contrôle par émission acoustique — Méthode de mesure pour les signaux d'émission acoustique dans le béton

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 23-Jan-2019
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• ICS: 91.080.40 - Concrete structures
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 135/SC 9 - Acoustic emission testing
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 135/SC 9 - Acoustic emission testing
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 03-Dec-2024
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Relations

• Consolidated By: ISO 19957:2021 - Footwear - Test methods for heels - Heel pin holding strength
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022

Overview

ISO 16836:2019 - "Non-destructive testing - Acoustic emission testing - Measurement method for acoustic emission signals in concrete" defines a standardized measurement method for detecting and recording acoustic emission (AE) signals generated by cracking and damage in concrete. The standard supports both laboratory and on-site inspections, prescribing sensor selection, measuring system configuration, signal analysis, calibration and reporting practices to ensure reliable AE-based crack detection and damage evaluation.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope: Establishes measurement methods for AE signals in concrete (laboratory and field).
• Detection and Sensors:
  • AE sensors convert elastic waves on a concrete surface into electrical signals.
  • Choice between resonant and broadband sensors; sensors must be robust to temperature, moisture and vibration.
  • Annex A recommends sensor types (e.g., 150 kHz resonant sensors for small specimens).
• Measuring system:
  • Typical chain: sensor → pre-amplifier (close to sensor) → main amplifier → band-pass filter → signal processor.
  • Amplifier internal noise requirement: inherently low, less than 20 µV (26 dB for 0 dB = 1 µV).
  • Recommended band-pass filtering: several kHz to several 100 kHz to reduce noise in concrete applications.
• Calibration and inspection:
  • Sensor sensitivity calibration using standard sources (e.g., pencil-lead break as in ASTM E976) and methods in ISO 12713 / ISO 12714; absolute calibration per ISO/TR 13115.
  • Routine system inspection; channel variation should be within ±3 dB.
• Signal analysis & parameters:
  • AE parameters to be recorded: peak amplitude, AE energy, rise time, duration, arrival times across sensor arrays, and relevant external parameters (load, strain).
  • Counting methods: ring-down counts, hit, event; multi-channel event location.
• Data and reporting:
  • Adequate data storage (preferably digital) and test report elements (date, test personnel, devices, measurement locations, pre/post-inspection results).

Applications and Users

ISO 16836:2019 is used for:

• Structural health monitoring (SHM) and non-destructive testing of concrete bridges, buildings, tunnels and other civil infrastructure.
• Crack detection and damage evaluation before retrofit or rehabilitation.
• Laboratory research on concrete fracture mechanics and AE characterization. Primary users include:
• NDT technicians and AE specialists
• Structural and civil engineers
• Infrastructure owners, asset managers and researchers

Related Standards

• ISO 12713 - Primary calibration of AE transducers
• ISO 12714 - Secondary calibration of AE sensors
• ISO 12716 - AE vocabulary
• ISO/TR 13115 - Absolute calibration by reciprocity
• ASTM E976 - Pencil-lead break (standard AE source)

Keywords: ISO 16836:2019, acoustic emission testing, non-destructive testing, AE signals in concrete, AE sensors, crack detection, structural health monitoring.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16836
First edition
2019-01
Non-destructive testing — Acoustic
emission testing — Measurement
method for acoustic emission signals
in concrete
Essais non destructifs — Contrôle par émission acoustique — Méthode
de mesure pour les signaux d'émission acoustique dans le béton
Reference number
©
ISO 2019
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Detection of AE waves. 2
5 Measuring system . 3
5.1 General . 3
5.2 Sensor . 3
5.3 Amplifier . 4
5.4 Filter . 4
6 Signal analysis and AE parameters . 4
7 Setup and measurement . 6
7.1 Sensor setup . 6
7.2 Environmental noises . 6
7.3 Measurement . 7
7.4 System inspection . 7
7.5 Storage of data . 7
8 Test report . 7
Annex A (informative) Recommended types of sensors to be used in concrete.8
Bibliography . 9
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 135, Non-destructive testing,
Subcommittee SC 9, Acoustic emission testing.
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iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Acoustic emission (AE) techniques have been investigated in concrete engineering for more than a half
century. Nowadays, results of AE research are put to practical use for infrastructures, not only concrete
structures, but also masonry structures.
Concrete structures can deteriorate due to heavy traffic loads, fatigue, chemical reactions and
unpredictable disasters, although concrete structures have long been referred to as maintenance-
free. Eventually, retrofit and rehabilitation of the structures are in heavy demand all over the world. It
results in the need for the development of advanced and effective inspection techniques prior to repair
work. In this regard, AE techniques have been extensively studied in concrete engineering.
Focusing on crack detection and damage evaluation, it is known that AE techniques are prospectively
applicable to concrete and concrete structures. Therefore, basic aspects on the measurement method
for AE signals in concrete are prescribed. AE is an inspection technique, by which elastic waves due
to cracking and damage in concrete are detected. Since AE phenomena are to be observed under in-
service conditions, AE measurement can be conducted not only in a laboratory, but also on site.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16836:2019(E)
Non-destructive testing — Acoustic emission testing —
Measurement method for acoustic emission signals in
concrete
1 Scope
This document establishes a measurement method for acoustic emission signals in concrete.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 12713, Non-destructive testing — Acoustic emission inspection — Primary calibration of transducers
ISO 12714, Non-destructive testing — Acoustic emission inspection — Secondary calibration of acoustic
emission sensors
ISO 12716, Non-destructive testing — Acoustic emission inspection — Vocabulary
ISO/TR 13115, Non-destructive testing — Methods for absolute calibration of acoustic emission transducers
by the reciprocity technique
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 12716 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
3.1
acoustic emission
AE
transient elastic waves generated by the release of energy within a material
3.2
AE signal
electrical signal detected at a sensor, which is converted through the detection of AE wave (3.3)
(elastic wave)
3.3
AE wave
wave that can be detected in the form of hits (3.5) on one or more channels (3.4)
3.4
channel
one line of AE signal (3.2) detected by AE (3.1) sensor and processed by the other devices
3.5
hit
given AE (3.1) channel (3.4) that has detected and processed one AE tr
...