Estimation of the strength and lifetime of welded constructions using the acoustic-emission method

Strength margins according to different criteria (static strength, low- and high-cycle fatigue, crack growth resistance), as well as the initial lifetime, accumulated long-term and cycle damages, and remaining lifetime, are classified as the main characteristics of the strength and lifetime of machines and constructions. In order to estimate the accumulated damage at the first fracture stage, it is sufficient to determine the values of parameters involved in the fracture growth equation. In order to estimate the lifetime, it is sufficient to solve this equation with regard to the accumulation time of the critical damageability based on estimation of the value of the diagnostic parameter. The possibility of estimating these characteristics using registration of AE signals and a model proposed in previous papers is shown.