Session: Virtual Presentations in Acoustics, Vibration, and Phononics

Paper Number: 96832

96832 - Research on Testing Method and Device of Sensitivity Consistency of Acoustic Emission Sensors 

The acoustic emission sensor is the monitoring element that receives the acoustic signals inside the material or structure and is the primary unit for the implementation of acoustic emission detection. Acoustic emission detection is often used in the structure healthy monitoring (SHM) of large structures, such as the detection and monitoring of large pressure vessels, storage tanks, cranes, and steel structures of buildings. According to the test object, it is generally necessary to install several to dozens of acoustic emission sensors for the localization of acoustic emission sources. Good sensitivity consistency of these acoustic emission sensors is the premise for effective and reliable detection results.

Acoustic emission sensors will be tested after production is completed to ensure good consistency. Due to wear and tear in the field detection, the sensitivity of the sensor is easily reduced. However, the acoustic emission sensors are only required to be calibrated once a year in most acoustic emission testing standards, and the sensors are not required to be verified during this period. Due to the lack of testing the sensitivity consistency of acoustic emission sensors before detection, there are often large differences in detection sensitivity during actual acoustic emission detection, resulting in inaccurate detection results.

To solve this problem, a convenient and effective test method for the sensitivity consistency of acoustic emission sensors is proposed in this study. The test device is built, and the key parameters of the test device are studied. By testing the receiving signals of different excitation methods on the steel plate, it is found that the method of using pulse signal to excite the sensor has better stability and reproducibility than the sound source generated by the lead break. Through simulation analysis and actual test, the testing effect of steel plates with different sizes is studied, and the influence of steel plate size change and edge reflection effect on acoustic signals is found.

At the same time, the test position of the sensor on the steel plate is also analyzed. The propagation law of acoustic signals at different positions is found, and the appropriate test position is suggested.

The research results provide users with a convenient and effective testing method for sensitivity consistency of acoustic emission sensors, so as to ensure that users can test and evaluate the sensitivity consistency of acoustic emission sensors before each detection or during daily instrument maintenance, thus ensuring the validity and reliability of detection data and improving the efficiency of on-site detection.

Presenting Author: Junjiao Zhang China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute;Key Laboratory of Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation for State Market Regulation

Presenting Author Biography: Zhang Junjiao, senior engineer, Committee Manager of ISO/TC135/SC9 (Acoustic Emission Testing)， Archivist of International Society on Acoustic Emission (ISAE). Since 2012, employed by CSEI working on the research and application of nondestructive testing and evaluation including in acoustic emission testing, ultrasonic testing, leakage testing, and other conventional nondestructive testing methods for special equipment such as pressure vessel, pressure piping, crane, amusement device and ropeway.

Authors:

Junjiao Zhang China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute;Key Laboratory of Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation for State Market Regulation
Gongtian Shen China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute;Key Laboratory of Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation for State Market Regulation
Daqing Chen China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute;Key Laboratory of Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation for State Market Regulation
Yilin Yuan China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute;Key Laboratory of Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation for State Market Regulation
Yongna Shen China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute;Key Laboratory of Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation for State Market Regulation