Wavelet analysis on pressure stimulated currents emitted by marble samples

Abstract. This paper presents a wavelet based method of analysis of experimentally recorded weak electric signals from marble specimens which have undergone successive abrupt step loadings. Experimental results verify the existence of "memory effects" in rocks, as far as the current emission is concerned, akin to the "Kaiser effect" in acoustic emissions, which accompany rock fracturing. Macroscopic signal processing shows similarities and differences between the currents emitted during successive loading and wavelet analysis can reveal significant differences between the currents of each loading cycle that contain valuable information for the micro and macro cracks in the specimen as well as information for the remaining strength of the material. Wavelets make possible the time localization of the energy of the electric signal emitted by stressed specimens and can serve as method to differentiate between compressed and uncompressed samples, or to determine the deformation level of specimens.