These technical guidelines are primarily designed for conservation scientists and conservators actively seeking to deploy acoustic emission (AE) monitoring as a means of tracing physical change in cultural heritage objects. Aiming to provide comprehensive information about AE hardware and sensors, measurement protocols, and methods of data analysis, this publication also examines the advantages and limitations of the technique for detecting, recording, and interpreting damage.Beginning...
More DescriptionThese technical guidelines are primarily designed for conservation scientists and conservators actively seeking to deploy acoustic emission (AE) monitoring as a means of tracing physical change in cultural heritage objects. Aiming to provide comprehensive information about AE hardware and sensors, measurement protocols, and methods of data analysis, this publication also examines the advantages and limitations of the technique for detecting, recording, and interpreting damage.Beginning with an introduction to the AE monitoring technique that highlights its nondestructive potential, the guidelines elaborate on the different types of systems and sensors, attenuation of AE signals, and positioning and mounting of sensors. Another section focuses on data analysis and interpretation and how to link AE with damage, and in additional considerations, strategies for noise reduction, AE source location, and frequency analysis are discussed. The conclusion reiterates the nondestructive potential of AE and how it can be used as an early warning system, particularly when objects are subject to changing environmental conditions. AE is a highly sensitive technique capable of monitoring the ongoing damage process in materials and objects and has considerable potential to support the assessment of existing climate control strategies and the development of alternative approaches. In November 2017, scientists and conservators experienced with AE convened at the Getty Conservation Institute to discuss the current state of the technique. During this meeting, the idea of creating technical guidelines on the applicability of AE in the cultural heritage field was born.