Analysis of the Frequency of Acoustic Emission Events in Terms of the Assessment of the Reduction of Mechanical Parameters of Cellulose–Cement Composites

The article proposes the application of the acoustic emission method as a technique for the evaluation of mechanical parameters of cellulose–cement composites. The analysis focused on frequency values in a time series analysis of elements subject to three-point flexural stress. In the course of a statistic analysis, it has been demonstrated that a significant reduction of the recorded frequency values is associated with a considerable reduction in strength. This allowed the authors to determine the range of frequencies related to the depreciation in the strength of an element. The tests were carried out on elements cut from a full-size cellulose–cement board. Samples exposed to potential operational factors (environmental and exceptional) were analysed. It was shown that the frequencies recorded before reaching the maximum load during bending of samples exposed to environmental factors (water and low temperature) were significantly different (were much lower) from the sounds emitted by elements subjected to exceptional factors (fire and high temperature). Considering the fact that the analysed frequencies of acoustic emission events occur before the maximum stresses in the material are reached and the elements are destroyed, this provides the basis for the use of the acoustic emission method to assess the condition of cellulose–cement composites in terms of lowering mechanical parameters by observing the frequency of events generated by the material during load action. It was found that generating by material frequencies above 300 kHz during bending does not result in a significant decrease in mechanical parameters. The emission of signals with frequencies ranging from 200 to 300 kHz indicate that there was a decline in strength exceeding 25% but less than 50%. The registration of signals with frequencies below 200 kHz indicates that the reduction in mechanical parameters was greater than 50%.