This paper presents results of an investigation on acoustic emission characteristics of granite, sandstone and rock-like material in the unconfined compression and tensile tests. Both the acoustic emission signature and stress-stain curve are analysed in the experiments._x000D_
The experimental results show that different acoustic emission characteristics are observed at different stress and deformation stages in unconfined compression and tensile testing. Extensive and unstable acoustic emission changes may be interpreted as indicating failure of the rock.