Piezoelectric-Wafer Active-Sensor Embedded Ultrasonics in Beams and Plates

Document Type

Article

Subject Area(s)

Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

In this paper we present the results of a systematic theoretical and experimental investigation of the fundamental aspects of using piezoelectric wafe active sensors (PWASs) to achieve embedded ultrasonics in thin-gage beam and plate structures. This investigation opens the path for systematic application of PWASs forin situ health monitoring. After a comprehensive review of the literature, we present the principles of embedded PWASs and their interaction with the host structure. We give a brief review of the Lamb wave principles with emphasis on the understanding the particle motion wave speed/group velocity dispersion. Finite element modeling and experiments on thin-gage beam and plate specimens are presented and analyzed. The axial (S0) and flexural (A0) wave propagation patterns are simulated and experimentally measured. The group-velocity dispersion curves are validated. The use of the pulse-echo ultrasonic technique with embedded PWASs is illustrated using both finite element simulation and experiments. The importance of using high-frequency waves optimally tuned to the sensor-structure interaction is demonstrated. In conclusion, we discuss the extension of these results toin situ structural health monitoring using embedded ultrasonics.

Rights

© Experimental Mechanics, 2003, Springer Verlag

Giurgiutiu, V.; Bao, J.; Zhao, W. (2003) Piezoelectric-Wafer Active-Sensor Embedded Ultrasonics in Beams and Plates. Experimental Mechanics,43(4), 428-449.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02411348

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