Acoustic emission source modeling using a data-driven approach

Abstract The next generation of acoustics-based non-destructive evaluation for structural health monitoring applications will depend, among other reasons, on the capability to effectively characterize the transient stress wave effects related to acoustic emission (AE) generated due to activation of failure mechanisms in materials and structures. In this context, the forward problem of simulating AE is addressed herein by a combination of experimental, analytical and computational methods, which are used to form a data-driven finite element (FE) model for AE generation and associated transient elastic wave propagation. Acoustic emission is viewed for this purpose as part of the dynamic process of energy release caused by crack initiation. To this aim, full field experimental data obtained from crack initiation monitored by digital image correlation is used to construct a traction-separation law and to define damage initiation parameters. Subsequently, 3D FE simulations based on this law are performed using both a cohesive and an extended finite element modeling approach. To create a realistic computational AE source model, the transition between static and dynamic responses is evaluated. Numerically simulated AE signals from the dynamic response due to the onset of crack growth are analyzed in the context of the inverse problem of source identification and demonstrate the effects of material and geometry in crack-induced wave propagation.