Technical Committee Inspection and Material Properties

Assessment of the Condition of Tank Bottoms by the Acoustic Emission Technique

Since 1989 the Acoustic Emission Technique (AE method) has been applied widely for the inspection of flat-bottom-tanks. Reports on tank bottom assessments already carried out in Germany, and comparative investigations of the tank inside by means of non-destructive test methods were analysed and appraised, in order to examine the reliability of this special method.

From this the following recommendation could be deduced:
The Acoustic Emission Technique for the assessment of tank bottoms can, among other things, contribute to a preliminary decision on whether tanks need a closer inspection or whether an extension of the time limit for testing may be appropriate. Each time the relevant authorities should be involved in the application of the procedure.