Hilbert-Huang transform is a new method to deal with non-linear and non-stationary data.A new signal processing method based on Hilbert-Huang transform is proposed to analyze AE signals obtained in concrete considering the complexity of the AE signals produced in concrete.The real AE signals are studied acquired from the testing of prestressed beam subjected to three-points-bending loadings until failure.Comparisons are made between Hilbert spectrum and the same result from wavelet transform method.The results have shown that the proposed method has generally high accuracy and strong self-adaptability

with which the main characteristics of the AE signal can be acquired.The method provides a new approach to AE signal processing.