Acoustic emission monitoring of a steam receiver pressurised to failure.

Abstract

Australian Atomic Energy Commission and the Australian Welding Research Association have conducted acoustic emission monitoring of a large defective pressure vessel during pressurisation to failure. Using acoustic emission source location equipment, it was possible to locate, in real time, areas of high activity. Later, fractographic examination of the failed vessel indicated that failure had initiated at the area of highest activity and this area was identified well before failure occurred.