Damage evaluation of three masonry towers by acoustic emission

This study concerns the structural stability of three medieval towers, "Torre Sineo", "Torre Astesiano" and "Torre Bonino", rising in the centre of Alba, a characteristic town in Piedmont (Italy). The geometrical and structural aspects of the towers were analysed and nondestructive tests were performed to assess the evolution of damage phenomena. The damage processes underway in some portions of the masonry were monitored using the Acoustic Emission (AE) technique. This method makes it possible to estimate the amount of energy released during the fracture process and to obtain information on the criticality of ongoing processes. Finally, an ad hoc theory based on fractal concepts for assessing the stability of masonry structures from the data obtained with the AE technique is proposed. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.