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Bachelor's Thesis
Author of thesis: Jan Tomšej
Acad. year: 2025/2026
Supervisor: doc. Ing. Petr Beneš, Ph.D.
Reviewer: Ing. Jiří Fialka, Ph.D.
This thesis summarizes experiences related to the accuracy of acoustic emission (AE) source localization. The first part presents methods used for the detection of continuous AE signals generated by leakages in pressure equipment within the energy and chemical industries. A demonstrative example of localization based on attenuation characteristics is presented, using results obtained from measurements of near-field and far-field attenuation on a calibration block with dimensions of $\Phi$ 960 × 430 mm and a mass of approximately 2.4 t. These measurements were also intended to determine the actual shape of the elastic wave generated by the Hsu–Nielsen test source. Due to the geometry of the calibration block, the signal from this source was not distorted by reflections in its initial phase. According to the ČSN EN 14584 standard, discontinuous AE signals require source localization. A localized burst-type AE source is referred to as an emission event. Based on prescribed criteria, such events are subsequently evaluated according to the standard. The thesis presents experimental results obtained using an Olympus ultrasonic probe and various borrowed sensors (Dakel, Soundwell, and Vallen). Following the evaluation of these tests, the most suitable method for AE source localization was determined. Localization is performed based on measuring time differences of arrival (TDOA) of signals reaching individual sensors. The accuracy of source coordinate determination is discussed and is shown to be relatively difficult due to the geometry of the tested object (steel strip specimen). The Hsu–Nielsen source used in this work cannot be considered an absolute calibration source and must therefore be interpreted with certain limitations. Conditions under which the reproducibility of elastic waves generated by the Hsu–Nielsen source improves were identified. In addition to conventional methods (first threshold crossing), alternative approaches for determining time differences of signal arrival between sensors were investigated. The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) method was tested and implemented in MATLAB. The accuracy of AE source localization depends on the detected elastic wave mode. This detected mode does not necessarily correspond to the mode assumed by threshold-based methods, resulting in different propagation velocities. Similarly, the wavelet transform approach proved beneficial, as narrowing the frequency window enhances frequencies relevant to AE analysis. The influence of material inhomogeneity and anisotropy represents a significant issue negatively affecting source coordinate determination, since wave propagation velocity is not constant across different directions or source distances. This topic requires further investigation and is therefore discussed only in the form of a literature review.
Acoustic emission event, Count, Hit, Arrival time, delta-t, AIC, Wavelet transform, Burst signal parameters, Rise time, First threshold crossing, Continuous signal, Background noise
Date of defence
16.06.2026
Result of the defence
Defended (thesis was successfully defended)
Grading
B
Process of defence
Student odprezentoval připravenou prezentaci a následně odpovídal na tři dotazy položené oponentem závěrečné práce. Student obhájil bakalářskou práci. Komise neměla žádné námitky k řešené práci. V průběhu odborné rozpravy student odpověděl na dotazy.
Language of thesis
Czech
Faculty
Fakulta elektrotechniky a komunikačních technologií
Department
Department of Control and Instrumentation
Study programme
Automation and Measurement (BPC-AMT)
Composition of Committee
prof. Ing. Michal Prauzek, Ph.D. (předseda) doc. Ing. Petr Beneš, Ph.D. (místopředseda) doc. Ing. Jakub Arm, Ph.D. (člen) Ing. Jiří Fialka, Ph.D. (člen) Ing. Petr Petyovský, Ph.D. (člen) Ing. Lukáš Pohl, Ph.D. (člen)
Supervisor’s reportdoc. Ing. Petr Beneš, Ph.D.
Grade proposed by supervisor: B
Reviewer’s reportIng. Jiří Fialka, Ph.D.
Grade proposed by reviewer: C
Responsibility: Mgr. et Mgr. Hana Odstrčilová