Structural Health Monitoring Using Metal Wire Based Piezo-Impedance Transducer

Abstract

Electromechanical impedance (EMI) method is a new non-destructive evaluation technique which is very effectively employed now a day in the field of structural health monitoring. In this study PZT patches are used to determine response of undamaged and damaged structure. One of the major drawback for the EMI method is the brittleness of the PZT material, thus making it difficult to attach on the curved, complex geometry and the surfaces under continuous impact from external load. This study presents a technique to overcome the difficulty of application of PZT on curved surface by introducing steel wire between structure and PZT element. It will eliminate direct bonding of PZT element to such complex structure. The method has shown promising results for damage detection of steel beam. This paper demonstrates the metal wire based EMI technique for damage assessment of beam.