1.1 Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is a field of engineering that deals with diagnosis and monitoring of structures during their operation. The primary goal of SHM is detection, identification, assessment, and monitoring of flaws or fault conditions that affect or may affect the future safety or performance of structures. SHM combines elements of nondestructive testing and evaluation, condition/process monitoring, statistical pattern recognition, and physical modeling.

1.2 The acoustic emission (AE) method uniquely fits the concept of SHM due to its capabilities to periodically or continuously examine structures and assess structural integrity during their normal operation.

1.3 In this guide, the definitions and fundamental principles for applying the AE method for SHM tasks are elaborated. This includes:

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.