Acoustic Emission (AE) refers to a common physical phenomenon in which a solid material, under the action of external forces or environmental factors, produces elastic–plastic deformation, cracking, phase transformation and magnetic effects, accompanied by a rapid release of energy in the form of stress waves. Therefore it is also known as Stersswave emission (Rongbao in New Technol New Process 3:20–21, 1992 [1]; Niujun and Li in J Shanxi Inst Technol 26:41–43, 2010 [2]; Elbatanouny et al. in Experim Mech 54:69–82, 2014 3). The generation of stress waves leads to changes in the stress field, and these changes are also recorded in a structural evaluation and diagnosis monitor, which are also used for structural evaluation and diagnosis. Therefore, the acoustic emission meter is also known as the ‘stethoscope’ of the structure. Acoustic emission is a common phenomenon in nature. For example, acoustic emission occurs when cracks are formed or cracks are extended in the steel structure of an offshore platform; acoustic emission occurs when cracks are formed in the reinforced concrete components of engineering structures, when they break and when they are fatigued; acoustic emission occurs when geological movement of the earth's crust occurs (e.g., earthquakes); and acoustic emission occurs when a tree is broken. However, different acoustic emission phenomena and processes produce acoustic emission wave frequency and amplitude varies greatly, its frequency range from infrasound, audible sound to about 50 MHz ultrasonic, amplitude can be from a few microvolts to hundreds of volts. Acoustic emission in general engineering differs from audible sound in that it refers to ‘stress wave emission’.