Frequency response of transducers used in acoustic emission testing of concrete

Abstract This paper describes two methods for calibration of the frequency response of transducers used in acoustic emission testing of concrete. The first uses two transducers to be calibrated coupled back-to-back. One of the transducers is excited by an input signal. The frequency response of the transducers is then deduced from analysis of the output signal. Two types of excitation may be used: sinusoidal excitation, which makes it possible to obtain the response point by point, and impulse excitation, which gives the frequency response directly. The second method uses the breaking of a pencil lead on the transducer face. The response obtained must then be corrected. Three types of transducers, used in specific applications for acoustic emission testing of concrete, are then characterized by these methods.