Acoustic emission tracking of a glulam-concrete composite beam failure

The failure of wooden structural elements mainly results from fiber ruptures generating acoustic emissions, which offer insight into the micro-deterioration in the members, the cumulative effects of which can eventually lead to complete structural failure. This second paper, presenting the authors' laboratory load tests of glulam-concrete composite beams, investigates the location of the failure through acoustic emission detection. Among the three specimens, one underwent acoustic emission monitoring during the ramp loading to failure. Using the spherical-intersection method, the location of the origin of the ultimate failure was determined with an 87% confidence level. The findings show that acoustic emission tracking provides an effective method for monitoring long-span timber concrete composite beams.