The acoustic emission (AE) method occupies a strong position among other nondestructive methods of testing of composites. The AE method has a diverse instrumentation that is based on a profound theoretical foundation. At the moment it is at the stage of consolidation and standardization based on a rich practical experience in various practical fields of application.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to use directly the background and to transfer technology of the AE testing of metals for analysis of composites. It is connected with different physical natures of cracking and failure in metals and composites. That is why modification of old models along with creation of new ones are necessary for explanation of the AE features of composites.

This paper will consider various criteria of material failures based on short-term crack resistance and fatigue. Registration of the AE signatures during short-term and low-cycle load tests allows predicting failure of composites. As an example, some experimental results obtained for cement-based composite materials are analyzed. A scope of practical problems of infrastructure safety, which could be resolved by the AE techniques, is presented.

Key words: infrastructure, safety, failure criteria, composites, acoustic emission